The Wall: Women’s Rights on Iraq’s Theatre Stage

The play The Wall, currently showing at Al-Rasheed Theater in Baghdad, has captured significant attention as a landmark event in Iraqi theater, both for its scale and the depth of its message. Directed by Dr. Sinan Al-Azzawi and written by Haider Juma, the play features over seventy Iraqi artists, including students from the Institute of Fine Arts, who together explore and advocate for women’s rights in Iraqi society. The play is celebrated by Professor Dr. Jabbar Judi, Director General of the Cinema and Theater Department and head of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate, who described it as one of the largest theatrical productions in the nation’s history.

The Wall tackles complex issues around family dynamics and societal expectations, using a strong dramatic framework to champion women’s issues and resilience. According to Dr. Judi, the production aims to shed light on the challenges Iraqi women face while also advocating for societal change. The play’s innovative storytelling and emotional depth are part of a broader movement to rejuvenate Iraqi theater and cultural spaces, which have faced neglect in recent years. Al-Rasheed Theater, which has seen limited support and occasional damage over the years, remains a crucial venue for the revival of Iraqi culture and artistic expression.

Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism