Al-mutanabbi cultural centre : a project done in baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Cultural Centres are places that spread knowledge and culture, as their name intitles. They are spaces where people meet for knowledge and education; these vary from literature in its many forms, such as poetry, books, and any type of written work; manuscripts might also be found there. Galleries are also held in such places; artists can host workshops there and can also exhibit their works as well as the works of the workshops that are held in it. They are essentially places that contain within their walls any form of literature and art; so much so that it almost seems like they collect it. These art and literature forms meet and exist in these cultural centres, by the people and for the people; especially those seeking education which is what my location represents. A place where people gather in search for ways to educate themselves and meet with others who have the same interests. Al-Mutanabbi street represents all the forms that have been mentioned above, it is known as ‘The Book Street’ and as ‘The Street of Knowledge’. It provides books in all their forms and subjects, it is a place where poets, scholars as well as normal people seek to satisfy their thirst for knowledge; however as much as it provides all of these art and literature forms, it lacks a place to gather them and collect them, therefore it was of upmost importance for this project to be situated in that street, to provide a space where all these different types of people meet and share their different experiences in one place and not scattered everywhere. Through this the society will rise to a higher level because when it starts to care about education, that is when a nation truly rises.