(History of contemporary architecture and urbanism second

essay, the classic theaters in Iraq)

The contemporary art movements and especially the theater which is one of the fine arts in
Iraq began in the early 20th century, influenced by and interacting with the European styles
appearing at that time, and with European methods of teaching and practicing art. Later, with
the rehabilitation of ancient traditions from the golden age of Islamic art, a unique
reciprocation was created between the rich artistic history of the region and the radical new
possibilities offered by Modernism. The outcome was a flourishing and authentic
contemporary art movement in the Arab world. In the dynamic and unpredictable
environment that has been Iraq from the mid-20th century to the current situation; the
contemporary art movement has developed in part as a reflection of the socio-cultural
situation in Iraq, and in part as a voice for criticism and comment on it.
In Iraq, cultural managers are needed to guarantee that the cultural sector can cultivate again
and accomplish its tasks in the aftermath of the war, Throughout the advancement of a new
governmental system and against the terrorism of the fundamentalist Islamic State. Culture in
Iraq contributes to the development of education, community values, and openness more
actively than it is often the case in the Western world.
Theater has a long tradition and a great significance in Iraq. Until the First World War it was
centralized in the cities of Baghdad, Mosul, and Basra. With the British colonization the
influence of theater development, just like other areas of the fine arts. Around the end of the
1920s theater departments were established at institutes and universities of fine arts and
classical and later epic theater was taught and performed. However, theater in Iraq is more
than just a Western influence, there was an outstanding deal of synergy during its
improvement. Today, the Iraqi theater has its own form and deals vigorously with the
problems in the country.
For that reason, I think that the theatres and the styles of design theatres is neglected in Iraq
and also its newly emerged buildings in Iraq as its influenced and affected by western
architecture and the openness exist in the that style of architecture, and also Iraq has unique
type of architecture which is Mesopotamian architecture or(Babylon architecture ) ,which is
mainly they were designing temples and palaces and hanging gardens in that age, that
described the golden age of the iraqian architecture, one of the classical theatres exist in
Sulaymaniyah has a form of semicircular and the colonnade in the front of the amphitheater
and the spectators place is stepped area, and its has differences in levels in the site of the of
the building, in the façade of theatre they use classical material like stone and marbles ,also
the Doric columns in specific order, and the openings of the building are pointed arch which
is gothic style.
In the entrance of the buildings there are huge ionic colonnade and detailed decoration and
moldings in the façade of the building with semicircular arch in gate of the building which
leads to the stepped area of the spectators, this amphitheater is erected in the open place and
everyone can enter the space and enjoy the performance they do and I think its kind a copy
paste of the roman amphitheater style .