How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?
I was invited to take part in the One Architecture Week 2015 in Bulgaria. This festival was looking for contributions from other cities/countries, where rivers make a significant contribution to the culture and civilization, spatial and urban context. Tigris and Euphrates are extremely important rivers of the region of Iraq, creating Mesopotamia valley. In this sense I was invited as an artist from Iraq to take part in this event based on the significant architectural dimension of my work ‘The house of Mesopotamia’, presented at the Venice Biennale. During my stay it was very important to me to meet artists who share the same concerns about the future of rivers in our world. We were in touch with many groups of artists, architects and authors.
How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?
I think it is important to meet and develop contacts with European artists in the Arab region in order to enhance culture and confidence between people and nations. Artists are gaining an important experience and an open mind through cultural and creative friction and civilisational dialogue with other artists who live in different regions geographically and culturally.
Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?
The festival’s focus has enriched my own knowledge, the audience's and the rest of the foreign participants not only on the importance and the good management of the rivers but on the Iraqi culture and art as a whole. I gained an important experience and an open mind through this cultural and creative friction and this civilisation dialogue with other artists who live in different regions geographically and culturally. This experience will be reflected my future artistic work and my ability to communicate with the world as well as enhance the sense of initiative.
