The newly installed watermelon statue in Said Sadiq Market. (Photo: 964media)
Fiberglass
Watermelon statue unveiled in Said Sadiq market celebrates local agriculture
SULAYMANIYAH — In a nod to the region’s rich agricultural heritage, a new statue of a watermelon was installed in the market of Sulaymaniyah’s Said Sadiq district, an area renowned for its fertile lands and vibrant crop production.
Local lawyer Sarhang Mahmoud, who funded the project, urged residents to value and protect the artwork. “I was happy to oversee this project,” Mahmoud told 964media. “We spent three months working on the watermelon statue in Iran, where it was sculpted by Hamidi Pour Ahmadi, an East Kurdistan-born artist. The statue is made of fiberglass, designed to withstand both winter cold and summer heat. If left undamaged, it will last a long time.”
Mahmoud also revealed plans to expand the tribute to the district’s agricultural identity by installing additional statues—a fish and an oak—in two other locations within Said Sadiq.
Local resident Mam Karim highlighted the reputation of the region’s watermelons, saying, “The watermelons from Qainaja village are top quality, and the ones grown in the Nawgrdan are also very good. They come in different sizes, from small to large, and are very sweet. Some weigh between four to seven kilograms.”
