Iraqi-Japanese Cultural Collaboration Boosts Heritage Preservation

The House of Books and Documents in Iraq has taken a significant step towards strengthening international cultural ties through a new collaboration with a Japanese academic delegation. This partnership aligns with Iraq’s broader goal of enhancing global cultural exchange, and it promises to bring valuable expertise to the country’s efforts in archiving and heritage preservation.

The Acting Director General of the House of Books and Documents, Mr Bareq Raad Alawi, recently welcomed the Japanese delegation, which included Professor Keiko Sakiyai, Dean of the Centre for International Crisis Studies at Chiba University, and Professor Kaoru Yamamoto, a specialist in Arabic literature at Keio University. They were accompanied by Dr Mahmoud Al-Qaisi, a Professor of History at the University of Baghdad. The discussions centred around mechanisms of cooperation and ways to exchange knowledge between the two sides, particularly in the fields of archiving and the preservation of human heritage.

The Japanese delegation was given a tour of the House of Books and Documents, where they gained insights into the institution’s various departments and the critical tasks they undertake in preserving Iraq’s heritage. The visiting professors commended the efforts being made by the Iraqi institution and expressed their desire to deepen the relationship. They discussed plans to organise study trips for Japanese students to Iraq and encourage further academic research on topics related to Iraqi civilisation and history.

This partnership between Iraq and Japan marks a positive development for the country, underscoring the value of international collaboration in cultural preservation. By sharing expertise and fostering academic exchanges, Iraq stands to benefit from advanced techniques in archiving and heritage conservation, helping to protect its ancient civilisations for future generations. This initiative also highlights Iraq’s openness to working with global institutions to safeguard and promote its cultural heritage on the international stage.

Source: Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities