The 11th festival of Tariq al-Shaab, the newspaper of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP), took place on 30–31 October in Abu Nuwas Gardens in central Baghdad, bringing together journalists, writers, artists, publishers, civil society organisations and visitors from Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces.
Iraqi Communist Party’s Tariq al-Shaab festival brings together journalism, culture and debate in Baghdad
Held under the slogan “Word, Freedom, Hope”, the festival provided a broad public space for cultural exchange, political discussion and the defence of freedom of expression.
The festival was officially opened by Raed Fahmi, Secretary of the ICP Central Committee, who toured the participating stands and exhibitions. In his opening remarks, festival president and prominent newspaper figure Mufid al-Jazairi stressed the importance of sustaining a cultural space in which free expression, the exchange of ideas and different opinions can flourish.
The programme combined discussions on journalism and contemporary media with literary, artistic and musical activities. Seminars examined digital economic literacy, the relationship between digital media and education, and the role of television sports programmes in developing national sport. Newspaper and book exhibitions, photography and painting displays, caricatures, handicrafts, poetry, music and theatrical performances also formed part of the two-day event.
A special place in this year's festival was given to the late Iraqi writer, novelist and translator Latifia al-Dulaimi, selected as its cultural personality. A dedicated session examined her literary work and contribution to Iraqi culture. The festival also featured an exhibition of caricatures by artist Khudair al-Hamiri, whose works addressed freedom of expression, alongside a painting symposium involving Iraqi artists.
Political discussion was another important element of the programme. In an open meeting with Raed Fahmi, participants discussed Iraq's political and economic situation, seven years after the October 2019 Tishreen uprising. Fahmi stressed that the demands which brought people into the streets remained unresolved. He called for those responsible for killing protesters to be identified and held accountable, and discussed the development of cooperation among protest movements and progressive political forces. The discussion also addressed the demand to bring weapons under state control and the implications of regional conflicts for Iraq.
The festival concluded with the presentation of three awards honouring contributions to journalism, enlightenment and freedom of expression. The Hadi al-Mahdi Award for Freedom of Expression went to the protest movement, in the name of Haider al-Qubtan. The Kamel Shiaa Award for Enlightenment Culture was presented to Dr Saleh Yasser, while the Shumran al-Yasiri Award for Opinion Journalism went to journalist and writer Dr Ibrahim Ismail.
In the closing address, delivered by ICP Central Committee member Intisar al-Mayali, the festival's slogan was presented as more than a cultural theme: it expressed the need to defend free expression, enlightenment and social justice. The address criticised poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption and the political system based on sectarian and political quotas, while emphasising the importance of citizenship, democratic rights and the rule of law.
First held in 2013, the Tariq al-Shaab festival has developed into an annual gathering connecting journalism, culture and public debate. Its 11th edition once again brought together participants from different parts of Iraqi society, reaffirming the newspaper's ambition to provide a platform for free expression, cultural creativity and discussion of the country's political and social challenges.