The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Local Government in Basra, celebrated the opening of the three heritage houses that were rehabilitated as part of the project to rebuild the ancient cities of Basra and Mosul, funded by the European Union.

The Head of the Antiquities Authority, Dr. Laith Majeed Hussein, gave a speech in which he blessed the opening of the three heritage houses in the ancient region of Basra, this city whose history abounds as a wellspring of cultural excellence and a field for the arts and aesthetics of knowledge, which enjoyed various fields, adding, “It was with the passage of time and to our cultural present an important source of creativity, which gained a well-known leading role throughout its rich history.

The Assistant Governor of Basra, human rights activist Hassan al-Najjar, said in his speech, "Our ancient vision is increasingly proud of this achievement, which the Ministry of Culture and the local government of Basra contributed to following up and achieving its successes."

To that, the Head of the Culture Department at the UNESCO Office, Iraq Branch: Junaid Soresh, explained, "Today, UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, and the Basra Governorate officially inaugurated the three prominent historical Shanasheel palaces - the Palace of Culture and Arts, the Union of Writers and Writers and the Plastic Artists Association, which is an important achievement in the successful implementation of the project to revive the ancient cities of Mosul and Basra, funded generously by the European Union.

He stressed that this achievement is an aesthetic and heritage act that simulates the history of Basra and its legacy due to the importance and ancient heritage depth of those houses, and we look forward to establishing a cultural reserve in Basra.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency