History of Artistic Aticivist in Erbil Between Years (1980-1983)

Abstract

The history of the art movement in the city of Erbil during the years 198-1983

The history of Arts (music, fine art, and theatre) in Erbil goes back to long time ago but academically introduced during 1920s of the last century.

In terms of music and songs, Kawais Agha was the first local singer who recorded his songs (Lawk) on cylinder phonograph. By mid 1950s, a group of academic musicians founded Darseem Music Band. Darseem Music Band had a significant contribution in the development of music and songs at that time. They also contributed to the development of other fields of Art such as theatre.

In early 1980s, the band also had a significant contribution with Erbil Arts Band in the field of theatre. For the first time they did a show about Salahaddin Ayoubi in 1926. Since then theatre and show activities were endured. In 1980s, the theatre movement were developed due to the fact that some Fine Arts Graduates were trained academically and contributed to the development of theatre movement in Erbil.

Similarly, fine arts started in early 1930s. Then, in 1950s, it become more developed as a group of students were returning to Erbil after graduating from Fine Arts in Baghdad. In 1970s another group of Fine Arts Graduates similar to their previous generation colleagues, they also contributed in the development of fine arts in the city through school activities and opening fine arts exhibitions at that time. Thus, fine arts in Erbil started to take an academic path and this highly welcomed and appreciated by local residents of Erbil in 1980-1983. In particular, most of the activities were conveying nations messages and this was highly welcomed by people. People were eager and looking forward to see new activities by those artists and actors groups. Nevertheless, the political circumstances in Iraq were not supportive to keep the Arts movement going forward.

During the Iraq-Iran war, the situation has changed negatively. Actors and artists were under political pressure by Iraqi government. Especially those artists who were working in the fields of singing, music and theatre. The political pressure by Iraqi regime resulted in decline of the arts movement in the city. Actors and artists were mostly observed by the Iraqi regime agents. This resulted some of actors and artists to leave the field and the home land towards diaspora. Others, were called for military services and sent to the battlefield by Iraqi regime.