Iraq hosts 12th Babylon Festival, honoring Arab cultural giants and literary voices

Event celebrates legacies of Badr Shakir al-Sayyab and Mustafa Akkad with wide international participation

HILLA, Iraq (MNTV) – Iraq marked a significant milestone in global cultural exchange with the launch of the 12th Babylon Festival of International Cultures and Arts. 

The event brought together intellectuals, poets, artists, and musicians from around the world in a vibrant celebration of heritage, creativity, and shared humanity, reported Iraq’s Arabic daily Al Sabaah.

This year’s edition honored two iconic Arab figures: the legendary Iraqi poet Badr Shakir al-Sayyab, sixty years after his departure from Iraq, and renowned Syrian filmmaker Mustafa Akkad, fifty years after the release of his seminal film “The Message.” 

The festival’s closing ceremony was crowned by the honoring of Colombian poet Fernando Rendon, founder of the world’s largest poetry festival and recipient of the parallel Nobel Prize.

Over the course of several packed days, the city of Babylon came alive with dozens of events, including book fairs, plastic arts exhibitions, theatrical and experimental performances, and poetry readings from participants representing over four continents. 

Folk music and dance troupes from Iran, Jordan, and other nations contributed to the cultural tapestry, alongside intellectual seminars and roundtables exploring literature, theater, artificial intelligence, and women’s contributions to the arts.

Special programs paid tribute to Arab and Iraqi literary institutions and artists, including the Katara Cultural Village and Spain’s Flamenco musical tradition, as well as distinguished musicians such as the Oud Orchestra. 

Switzerland was featured as this year’s guest of honor, represented by the Swiss ambassador.

Notable sessions included a seminar on Akkad’s film The Message, featuring actor Munir Maasiri and Syrian director Najdat Anzour. 

The festival also hosted the “My Experience” segment, where leading voices such as Suzan Ayoub, Abdul Zahra Zaki, Fernando Rendon, and others shared personal journeys in literature, media, and exile.

Poetry remained at the festival’s core, with readings by top Iraqi and international poets including Muwaffaq Muhammad, Arif Al-Saadi, Ahmed Al-Shahawi, Dominic Williams (UK), Joel François (France), and voices from Greece and Iran. 

A seminar was held in memory of Iraqi writer Jumaa Al-Lami, who passed away during the festival.

From the grand opening to the final curtain call at the historic Babylonian amphitheater, the event drew massive crowds, filling ancient rows and backstages with visitors from across Iraq. 

The setting—amid the ruins of Hammurabi’s processional streets and under the gaze of the Ishtar Gate—added a profound historical resonance to the festivities.

Festival participants also visited key archaeological sites such as Ur, connecting modern cultural expression with the deep roots of Mesopotamian civilization. 

Iraqi expatriates who have lived in forced exile for decades returned to share their stories, reinforcing a sense of resilience and cultural continuity.

The festival was officially sponsored by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and supported by a broad coalition of ministries, unions, and civil organizations. 

Special recognition was given to Dr. Ali Al-Shalah, poet and festival director, for his vision and dedication to elevating Babylon’s cultural standing.

With dynamic programming, international acclaim, and enthusiastic public turnout, the 12th Babylon Festival concluded as a powerful affirmation of Iraq’s cultural revival and its enduring role in the global artistic landscape.