Organizers and local intellectuals commemorate the 10th anniversary of Al-Farahidi Street in Basra. (Photo: 964media)
'We've achieved a lot'
Basra’s Al-Farahidi Street marks 10 years as cultural hub
BASRA — Organizers of Al-Farahidi Street in Basra celebrated the 10th anniversary of its founding with events commemorating its rise from a modest initiative in 2015 to a vibrant center of cultural life in the city.
Founders and coordinators told 964media that the street, once an uncertain venture, has developed into a fixture for literary and artistic activity, hosting poetry readings, musical performances, book signings, and other cultural events.
“Today we celebrate ten years of cultural and literary creativity. The street opened in 2015, and there were bets it would fail or not mature. But the will and determination of Basra’s youth and its public proved otherwise,” said Safa Al-Dhahi, founder of Al-Farahidi Street.
“We’ve seen its development between 2015 and 2025, and today it’s in a new, different form from when it started,” he added.
Once little more than books spread across sidewalks, the street has steadily grown in scale and infrastructure. Qudamah Adel, a member of the organizing committee, said, “We started from nothing—from sidewalks and books laid out on the ground. Then came tables, kiosks, and now we have a cultural forum with diverse activities. We’ve achieved a lot.”
