Maysam Al-Ani

Peace and violence living simultaneously - that is the reality of most war-torn countries. In this case, it is Iraq. This piece explores that coexistence of peace and violence in present day war-torn Iraq. It celebrates the peace yet juxtaposes it with violence: the serene sounds of the bulbul bird, sounds of the water flowing, the flamingos, the woman in the boat, the fish, and the watermelons. They all symbolize peace:

1. The woman in the boat is a reference from the well-known Iraqi female artist Nadia Osi’s painting of a woman enjoying her time in the rivers of Iraq. She rests her head on a colorful pillow, drifting along the waters:

2. Bulbul birds are a common and loved bird in Iraq

3. Watermelons are an iconic fruit native and enjoyed often in Iraq

4. The fish are used for Iraqi dish masgouf, which is commonly cooked for large gatherings of people

5. The flamingos are based on the 2016 phenomenon when Iraqis saw a decrease in violence in the country, which resulted in an increase of flamingos reappearing in Iraq, making them a symbol of peace amongst Iraqis

However, these symbols of peace are also juxtaposed with symbols of violence:

1. The sounds of explosions and gunshots in the background

2. The light in the background getting brighter and dimmer based on the sounds occurring

The message here is exploring the ever current daily experience of Iraqis. They live in a country ruined by invasions and wars but somehow, they are able to continue with their lives - they balance the peace and the violence in their lives everyday: a show of true resilience and bravery.