A Delegation from the Media Department Visited Al-Shabandar Café in Baghdad: Exploring the Role of Media in Preserving Heritage
A delegation of students and staff members from the Media Department at Cihan University-Erbil visited the historic Al-Shabandar Café in the Al-Mutanabbi area of Baghdad on Friday, February 7, 2022.
The visit was led by Assistant Lecturer Azwar Mehdi Qasim Agha, the department head, and Assistant Lecturer Omar Hassan Fahmi, within the academic program framework aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application, introducing students to Iraqi cultural platforms, and highlighting the role of media.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the long history of the café, which was established in 1917, and is considered one of the most prominent cultural symbols in Iraq, as it hosted meetings of writers and thinkers for decades. They also gained insights into its unique heritage design that combines old books and historical photos. The visit aimed to connect the students with the Iraqi cultural identity and enhance their skills in documenting heritage through modern media, noting that media is not just about conveying news, but also responsible for preserving collective memory.
The activities included an introductory tour of the café, during which students received a detailed explanation of the stages of rebuilding the café and the Mutanabbi area after being exposed to a terrorist attack in 2007. Moreover, they discussed with the café manager ways to use digital media to highlight heritage sites. It is worth noting that the visit is part of a series of activities by the Media Department at Cihan University-Erbil, aiming to enhance student’s awareness of the importance of media in building identity and creating influential content.
