Art, the expression of one’s
creative skill and imagination; culture, the display of men’s intellectual
achievements, combine them together; add a cause and then you have a one of
humanities greatest magnum opus.
The situation of Baghdad today may seem dire and peace a distant reality but if
hope remains, the only thing needed is a catalyst to turn that hope into change
and for change to be happen in Baghdad, the catalyst will be its rich culture
and expressive art.
Art is a remarkably powerful tool in bringing change. Its powers lying in its
emotive nature, one can feel it, the struggle, the misery, the beauty, the
passion that the artist captured in his work; the same cannot be said about
speech and writing.
Speeches can inspire but does the common man has time to listen? One could try
to get the message across through writing but can every man read? Add to the mix
the fact people speak many languages and you can see how ineffective these are
as a medium of spreading awareness. Art however is different. Just a glimpse is
enough to get the message across for it speaks no language nor are there are a
set of rules that it must follow but all, regardless of background, understand
it.
In Baghdad, many would think that its diversity is a hindrance to lasting peace
but one must look at the examples of other prospering cities such as New York,
London, Hong Kong, Amsterdam; what do they have in common? They have diversity
of culture and people still co-exist peacefully. It is the diversity that helps
bring peace rather the contrary. Diversity allows people of different culture to
interact with other and this creates understanding.
Culture itself can have great influence in establishing peace , if you have a
culture of peace than you will have peace and in Baghdad, the culture present
share a emphasize on tolerance and peace. People must value their culture and
only then will it be able to act as a catalyst of positive change.
Baghdad is a magnificent city and one day I believe it will produce one of the
greatest artwork in history, and every one of Baghdad’s citizen would be the
artist, the brush would be their imagination and colors will be its rich
diversity.