The ‘Book Market of Baghdad’ - Al-Mutanabbi Street
- Mar 30, 2023
- 2 min read
Welcome to Al-Mutanabbi Street the ‘Book Market of Baghdad’, where books remain in the street at night because Iraqis say: “The reader does not steal and the thief does not read.”
We explore the rich heritage of the historic book market on Al-Mutanabbi Street…
Image credit Baghdadi.History on IG
Al-Mutanabbi Street is the historic center of Baghdad bookselling, that dates back to the time of the Abbasids. Located near the old quarter of Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi Street was Baghdad’s first book traders’ market.
Image credit Baghdadi.History on IG
Al-Mutanabbi Street has been, since time immemorial, the historic heart and soul of the Baghdad literary and intellectual community.
Image credit @overacupofqahwa on Twitter
Due to Al-Mutanabbi Street’s infinite supply of books, it served as a contemporary witness to the never-ending political and cultural changes that took place in Mesopotamia over the years.
Image credit Pinterest/Unknown
Al-Mutanabbi Street has been a refuge for writers of all faiths since at least the 8th century. Today, the rubble has been cleared, and the road is recovering.
Rising from the ashes of war, neglect and instability, Baghdad is going through a cultural renaissance. Al Mutanabbi Street, home to the city’s historic book market and the centre of intellectual life, lies at the heart of that revival.
Image credit @AliKhadr_ on Twitter
Al-Mutanabbi Street was first inaugurated in 1932 by King Faisal I and named after the celebrated 10th-century poet Abul Tayeb al-Mutanabbi, who was born under the Abbasid dynasty in what would become modern-day Iraq.
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Abu al-Tayyib, Ahmad ibn al-Hussein al-Mutanabbi (915-965 A.D) is one of the most acclaimed of the classical Arab poets, he is the author of the 10th-century Diwan, a collection of poems featuring skillfully crafted panegyrics or praiseful verses written for the poet’s patrons.
Image credit @overacupofqahwa
Al-Mutanabbi is considered as one of the Greatest Arabic Poets. The art of Arabic poetry is one of the disciplines, which characterize the Arab people. It has a unique nature among the broad field of world poetry.
Image credit @AliKhadr_ on Twitter
I am the one whose literature can be seen (even) by the blind
& whose words are heard (even) by the deaf.
The steed, the night & the desert all know me
As do the sword, the spear, the scripture & the pen
Al- Mutannabi
Image credit @voojl on IG أبو علي - أقدم بائع للكتب المستعملة في شارع المتنبى العراق Abu Ali - Oldest book seller on al-Mutanabbi street in Baghdad
A narrow street in the heart of old Baghdad, Al-Mutanabbi has long drawn students and young people, usually on Fridays. But it is also frequented by intellectuals and older bibliophiles.
Image credit Pinterest/Unknown
Al-Mutanabbi streets new look comes alongside art exhibitions, gallery openings, book fairs and festivals reflecting a fledgling cultural renaissance, recalling a golden age when Baghdad was considered one of the Arab world’s cultural capitals.
Image credit Pinterest/Unknown
You can find at Al-Mutanabbi Street hundreds of bookstores and outdoor bookstalls, cafes, stationery shops, and even tea shops. It has been and still is the heart and soul of Baghdad’s intellectual community that will never change.
Image credit The Daily Persian on Tumblr
Despite a bombing over a decade ago that tore the street’s heart, Al Mutanabbi's spirit perseveres stronger than ever. It was an attack on Iraq’s literature community and cultural institutions. But those who try to erase thought will never succeed…
Sources of Inspiration & Information
I especially appreciate how the article highlights the resilience of the street and its community, even after everything it has endured laptop camera filters over the years. The fact that it continues to thrive as a space for reading, discussion, and discovery says so much about the enduring value of knowledge and culture.
“Such a beautiful and powerful portrayal of Al-Mutanabbi Street. It really captures more than just a marketplace old photo to new photo ai it’s clearly a living symbol of Baghdad’s intellectual and cultural identity, where books, ideas, and people come together in a very unique way.
Reading about streets where aumentar a qualidade da imagem books are openly displayed even at night because of the trust in readers really says so much about the value placed on knowledge and culture there. Truly fascinating and moving piece—thank you for sharing this glimpse into such an important cultural landmark.”
I really appreciate how app para quitar marca de agua the article highlights the resilience of this space as well. Despite all the challenges Baghdad has faced, it’s inspiring to see how places like this continue to bring people together around books, ideas, and conversation.
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