Diyala art festival inspires young talent and prepares them for national competition

DIYALA — The Free Drawing Festival kicked off in Khalis, north of Diyala governorate, with the participation of over 200 schools and approximately 300 students from elementary and middle schools across the district. The event aims to nurture talented students, with educators and observers focusing on identifying exceptional skills for inclusion in the national competition organized later by the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to 964media, Mushtaq Al-Khudran, the head of school activities in Khalis, emphasized the importance of arts in educational and societal progress. “No country or institution can achieve advancement without excelling in art and sports, and no school can excel in science without progressing in art,” he said. “When you bring together this many talented students from different schools in Khalis, it’s crucial to provide care and support to develop their abilities.”

Al-Khudran also noted that this festival is just the beginning. “This will not be the last festival; another one is planned for the second half of the year. We will use this opportunity to assess the outcomes, exchange ideas, and aim for tangible results,” he added.

Dharar Hassan, an art supervisor and student work evaluator, highlighted the structured evaluation process at the festival. “Judging will be age-appropriate: elementary students in one category, middle school in another, and high school in a third. Outstanding works will be selected to represent the district in the national festival organized by the Ministry of Education,” Hassan explained.

Shaden Muwafaq, a teacher participating in the festival, underlined the importance of art education. “Art classes are essential for every student as they help uncover skills and also provide insight into students’ psychological states through their drawings, color combinations, and artistic expression,” she said.

Nargis Khalid, a student participating in the event, shared her enthusiasm. “This activity means a lot to me. It’s a fun day that reduces the pressures of studying, allowing us to exchange skills with other students. I hope to showcase the best of my abilities,” she said. “Art class is very important as it connects with our emotions, whether it’s drawing, embroidery, or crafting.”