Artists and writers meet with PM in Baghdad
Al-Sudani launches 13 billion dinar project to support arts and culture in Iraq
BAGHDAD, December 5 — Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa’ Al-Sudani announced the launch of a major project on Monday that will support arts and culture in Iraq with over 13 billion dinars earmarked for the initiative.
Al-Sudani was joined by a group of Iraqi artists for the announcement. The new project will directly support cinema, drama, theater, visual arts, literature, writers, and children’s literature.
The Prime Minister’s office released a statement, which read:
Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa’ Al-Sudani launched a significant cultural and artistic project in Iraq on Monday to support cinema, drama, theater, visual arts, literature, writers, and children’s literature. He announced the allocation of 13.5 billion Iraqi dinars for the project.
This initiative took place during a reception attended by a large group of Iraqi artists, representatives from the Writers Union, and various writers and intellectuals.
The Prime Minister emphasized the completion of financial allocations required for artistic and literary activities that have suffered from stagnation due to the lack of support and initiatives. He stressed the necessity for the private sector to enter artistic production and not rely solely on government support. Al-Sudani noted that the only condition for artists and artistic works is to maintain high quality and artistic standards, without considering the government’s preferences.
Al-Sudani highlighted the significant importance the government places on cultural and artistic fields, given the impact of their productions and artistic and literary festivals in creating a positive impression of the country’s stability. He emphasized the potential of investing in art and culture to combat various serious phenomena such as violence, extremism, and drugs.
The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s duty to support artists and creators, mentioning that previously five billion dinars were allocated to the Artists Syndicate for the artists’ retirement fund, and three billion for the social solidarity fund of the Writers Union.
The project now has specifically allocated five billion dinars to support Iraqi drama, another five billion dinars for Iraqi cinema, and one billion dinars for printing literary and intellectual products of Iraqi writers.
Additionally, within the framework of the project, 200 million dinars are allocated to support visual artists in organizing private exhibitions, 300 million dinars for various musical arts, and 1.5 billion dinars for the Writers and Writers Union in Iraq to organize official conferences and festivals. Furthermore, 500 million dinars are allocated to support children’s literature.