Italy and its valuable contribution to the protection of Iraqi manuscripts were at the center of the Arab Manuscript Day organized by the Director of the House of Manuscripts, Dr. Ahmed Karim and the Director of the National Museum, Dr. Laith Hussein. Guests of honor at the event were the Minister of Culture, Hassan Nadhem, and the Ambassador of Italy to Iraq, Maurizio Greganti.
The Minister and the Ambassador inaugurated the new exhibition on cultural diversity in manuscripts, Arabic calligraphy and the works of the House of Manuscripts, a body that deals with the protection and restoration of volumes of national prestige. Ambassador Greganti could ascertain the quality and breadth of the Italian contribution to efforts to preserve the Iraqi heritage: the restoration of the archival and book material were possible in the framework of the MAECI-MIBACT Convention, as part of the project to support institutional action to protect and restore Iraqi cultural heritage. The project, inaugurated in 2018, allowed a team of Italian experts to train local young restorers in the art of preserving manuscripts, also providing equipment, tools and machinery for the digitization of works.
The event, revolving around the theme “The legacy of the manuscript in the era of globalization”, was enriched by the intervention of a panel of local experts who focused on the importance of enhancing the Iraqi artistic heritage – a sector where Italy maintains a leadership also publicly recognized by Iraqi authorities. It took place in the evocative setting of the National Museum in Baghdad, largely restored thanks to the Italian-Iraqi collaboration: in particular, the Great Assyrian Gallery housing monumental finds from Khorsabad and Nimrud, the Islamic Gallery, the Assyrian Median Gallery, housing the colossus from the palace of Ashurnasirpal II of Nimrud and the Hall of Corals. Thanks to Italy, a modern restoration laboratory was also created inside the Museum.
