Nineveh Plains: In a sunlit garden of the Mar Behnam Monastery in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains, a group of young Iraqis gathers around a long table, their hands busy with paintbrushes. They are creating small artworks that celebrate the nation’s rich heritage: an oud, a glass of mint tea, mosques, churches, and the iconic Ziggurat of Ur.
This scene is part of the ‘Mesopotamia Heritage Truck’ initiative, a traveling project that journeys across Iraq to reconnect citizens with the country’s deep historical and cultural roots. The project organizes workshops, art activities, and educational sessions, all designed to foster appreciation for Iraq’s diversity.
“Our mission is to help people recognize how varied Iraq is,” explains Muthana al-Khoury, project manager of the Heritage Truck. “So many communities have lived together here for centuries, and we are still here today.”
Reweaving the Social Fabric
While the truck visits communities across Iraq, its focus is primarily on northern villages, many of which were occupied by ISIS in 2014. During that period, Christians, Kurds, Yazidis, Shabak, and other minority groups were displaced, and their sacred sites suffered destruction.
Now, nearly eight years after the fall of ISIS, some families are returning. The challenge of rebuilding social cohesion remains immense. “When we arrive in villages with multiple religious communities, we encourage everyone to participate together,” Al-Khoury says. “The goal is for them to engage with each other through shared activities.”
These sessions combine theory and practice, covering Iraqi history, archaeology, painting, and sculpture. Pascal Maguesyan, director of Mesopotamia Heritage, the French organization behind the project launched in 2024, emphasizes, “We aim to spark interest in Iraq’s heritage among both children and adults, so future generations will protect and cherish it.”
Celebrating the Cradle of Civilization
Iraq, encompassing much of ancient Mesopotamia, is often called the “cradle of civilization.” The land was home to Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians and saw the birth of cuneiform the world’s earliest writing system toward the end of the fourth millennium BC. Among the Heritage Truck’s offerings are introductory lessons in this ancient script, delighting participants.
“Children are especially fascinated by these lessons,” Al-Khoury notes. “Traditional schools in Iraq rarely provide opportunities for art, music, or creative exploration.”
Beyond new experiences, the project instills pride and awareness of Iraq’s rich past. Watching schoolchildren enthusiastically complete their paintings, it becomes clear that culture plays a critical role in rebuilding and reconciling communities just as much as politics or economics.
“Here in Iraq, the first writing in the world was invented,” Al-Khoury says with a smile. “We want young generations to know that, to take pride in it, and to carry our heritage forward.”