Iraq's Babylon arts festival kicks off at ancient site

The Babylon International Festival opened at the historic archaeological site south of Baghdad, drawing local and international performers to celebrate Iraq’s rich cultural heritage. The event features traditional dance, music, and visual arts, reaffirming the site's legacy as a center of artistic expression.

Anabel Veloso , flamenco artist said"This is my second time in Iraq. We came here a few years ago and it was so surprising how close our cultures are. I really feel we are like a brother and sister because our music in Spain is so influenced by Arabic sounds. The guitar is so similar to the Oud and we can feel that everyone wants to see flamenco in Iraq."

This year’s program includes performances by Iraq’s Peace Orchestra, made up of more than 50 young musicians, as well as guest acts from Turkey and Spain.