Cultural festival brings back traditional games and crafts in Basra

BASRA, January 15 — The Palace of Culture and Arts in Basra recently hosted a heritage festival aimed at reviving ancient traditional games and preserving handicrafts. The event introduced the traditions to children from various schools, as well as students from the Institute of Fine Arts.

Participant Zahraa Fares told 964media, “I participated at the Palace of Culture and Arts today, wearing the traditional Iraqi Hashimi costume, and experienced hospitality in the Iraqi coffee setting. The goal of this exhibition is to revive ancient Iraqi heritage and culture. Our generation has not seen many of the old customs and games.”

Another participant, Haneen Farzdaq, said, “The internet has dominated our lives, causing the disappearance of children’s games such as ‘Al-Taq,’ ‘Al-Gari,’ ‘Al-Daabil,’ and ‘Shadda Ya Ward.’ This festival brought us back to the old days.”

Salma, a mother, shared, “This festival reminds us of our childhood, when games were very simple, reflecting the simplicity of people back then. However, these games have disappeared now due to modern technology.”