257:, al-Mansour Theater and the Fine Art Hall, which were cultural locations in the square before it was closed in 2003, were rehabilitated and opened to the public. Over time, the square attracted a more artistic legacy. The restoration of the square was in hopes of returning of the cultural role that Baghdad used to play in the past, specifically before 2003. The square will be the main hosting spot for festivals and artistic activities. It is also hoped that newer Iraqi generations would be familiar with the cultural aspects of the area. Al-Mansour Cinema was given to the Iraqi Cinema Company, a company established in 2011 to organize cinemas in the country. The cinema includes one hall and hundreds of seats. The Fine Art Hall includes hundreds of artistic works, including
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250:, who blocked the demolition on 21 February. The monument was then restored by the government in 2011 as a sign of reconciliation. The Square has become a place for public demonstrations and protests. In April–May, 2016, following a protracted political struggle between to end sectarianism in politics, a large crowd gathered at Grand Festivities Square in a non-violent protest.
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The three monuments in the vicinity of the square form a visual and symbolic unit. The construction of the three artworks was part of a broader Ba'athist government program to beautify
Baghdad, install a sense of national pride, and at the same time immortalize Saddam Hussein's reputation as a
163:, it comprised a large parade ground, an extensive review pavilion and a large reflecting pool. The surrounding grassy areas hosted Iraqis during military parades. Adding to the festive appeal of the grounds were three refreshments booths that sold ice cream, cold beverages, and candy.
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The then leader of Iraq, Saddam
Hussein commissioned three major public artworks for the area. These artworks were to be memorials to Iraq's fallen soldiers, a remembrance of Iraq's pain and suffering as a consequence of the Iran-Iraq war and symbols of Iraq's victory in the war. The
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The
Victory Arches mark the entrances to the square. On the day the arches were dedicated (8 August, 1989), Saddam rode under the arches astride a white horse. It is generally acknowledged that Hussein intended to cast an allusion to the slain Islamic martyr
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207:. The monument, although presenting a triumphalist narrative in relation to the Iran-Iraq war, has assumed a broader symbolism and represents those Iraqis who fell in any war throughout the country's history.
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in 636 CE and this historic event is seen to be the beginning of
Islamic domination of the region. The site was intended to become the place where military parades and national events would be held. Known as
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for the heads of the state in the center of the Parade avenue. The square is home to three important public monuments created by leading mid-20th century sculptors.
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In 2007, the new Iraqi government wanted to demolish the
Victory Arch monuments and the decision was approved by former Prime Minister
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In 1986 (two years before the war's end) the Iraqi Ba'athist government began construction of a festival and parade ground in
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183:, another concept by the sculptor, Khaled al-Rahal, to be built in the same vicinity and it was inaugurated in 1989.
246:, however, this decision drew strong backlash from protestors. Al-Maliki's approval was challenged by US Ambassador
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450:"Iraq restores Hussein's Victory Arch as sign of reconciliation - News - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH"
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In June 2023, the Grand
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The
Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Saddam Hussein's Iraq
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The
Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq
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The
Monument: Art, Vulgarity, and Responsibility in Iraq
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381:Critical Approaches to Ancient Near Eastern Art
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379:Brown, B. A. and Feldman, M. H. (eds),
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342:Baghdad: City of Peace, City of Blood
599:Buildings and structures in Baghdad
286:The Monument to the Unknown Soldier
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393:Schmidt, Michael S. (2011-09-21).
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555:33.3056833°N 44.3830000°E
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589:Anti-national sentiment
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116:ساحة الاحتفالات الكبرى
33:ساحة الاحتفالات الكبرى
20:Grand Festivals Square
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296:Al-Shaheed Monument
238:Recent developments
83:Cultural activities
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259:plastic art
142:Description
25:Native name
573:Categories
510:2023-08-18
460:2023-08-18
435:2023-08-18
404:2023-08-18
302:References
152:Green Zone
43:Green Zone
604:Iraqi art
532:WikiMapia
281:Iraqi art
121:romanized
86:Festivals
75:Known for
265:See also
156:Persians
101:Restored
49:Location
594:Baghdad
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479:Online:
370:, p. 29
195:in 680
193:Karbala
189:Hussein
136:stadium
134:with a
132:Baghdad
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53:Baghdad
39:Part of
112:Arabic
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29:Arabic
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70:Other
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