For the second consecutive week, the Baghdad museum opened its doors free of charge to the public on Friday. A desire of museum officials to make it known to locals and tourists after decades of successive closures.
With our correspondent in Baghdad, Marie-Charlotte Rupee
In the Assyrian room of the museum of Baghdad, Zeinab devours with her wondering eyes the carved walls dating from 2,700 years and inspects in the smallest details the two Lamassus, mythological figure half-man, half-winged bull.
“ Of course, we saw them on TV, but that has nothing to compare with seeing them in person. We feel like we’re part of the same world “explains the young woman.
many visitors
Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations marked the history of Iraq, with the first cities and writings. The new free admission to the museum on Fridays attracts many visitors. A little boy is enthusiastic about ivory jewels, his father takes care of the explanations.
” He thinks they are toys, he laughs. It’s important to teach children about history and civilizations from an early age. History is part of us “, assures the father of the family.
” Before, there were many more »
Despite the reopening of the museum last March, it is difficult for adults not to think about the missing pieces. Leila had come for the last time, almost 30 years ago. ” It’s great to come and see all these statues, but before there were many more she laments.
” Before is before 2003. In the first months of the war, 15,000 coins were stolen. Only a third of them have been returned to the museum.
►Also read : Iraq: Lebanon returns over 330 antiquities to Baghdad (February 7, 2022)