![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SNEQTCFULHQJNQRRHBCZHMTODE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f3f1db70608e6d249c5ffa689e5bd5e10dc73b97fefd9183aa8123d20eaa935&width=400&height=225)
An Iraqi man plays the oud, an oriental string instrument, during the opening. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XJDYWBEQSP3TMKPB2AGLXENVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=033a06bd2715bed3990e5a6ddc6d92d10fb3213fec42e3a541c91e131d3d7b9c&width=400&height=225)
Iraqis stand in front of a 'Welcome to Mosul' road sign displayed at an art hall in the museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on January 29. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L63AL7VDJ5YJAPRZ6AJV3656GU.jpg?smart=true&auth=831895865768e45202095378bcd3e59cd1c1844d632ddc82815006e8e5a9a254&width=400&height=225)
Mosul Museum partly reopened yesterday with contemporary art display. AFP
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The northern Iraqi city of Mosul served as the Islamic State (IS) group's brutal seat of power for three years, before Iraqi troops recaptured it in 2017. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AI6KLG57FQI5ZSVBNSACKGY4NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f2acef94f8273a63cf400cb6472835b3bcecd5976d7eaef37cd5d12e362dd54&width=400&height=225)
A view of the museum's damaged exterior. Mosul's celebrated museum has not recovered since IS jihadists ravaged its ancient treasures several years ago, but part of the complex reopened on January 29 to showcase more modern art. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MIC2GKX7PT2VUHNKTYKROVYFKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe3c2cdbc45aac136e90faf0ee345b11aaae8bdd812a421d4755ad80c42aa6d0&width=400&height=225)
For the first time since IS overran the Iraqi city in 2014, visitors on could wander the grandiose royal reception hall, which formed part of the museum. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZSF6P33V5OXZAJMKWHQKRKF7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8aa12bcfbd1c466b2d472a04fe07461e2a4bdd5e236232de35c5ad0d47fe482&width=400&height=225)
The contemporary exhibit is titled Return to Mosul, and has been made up with pieces by 29 artists. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3GPDUBKMI4CMIPT357B7ZOXKAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2fb3d5c774963ecae780ebf53acf4e07c7296f77df539af615d58a30d42e45dc&width=400&height=225)
The remainder of the museum remains closed for security reasons, according to its director, Zeid Saadallah. AFP
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The exhibit was "proof that war didn't kill Mosul and that, on the contrary, it's living a full-on renaissance," said Huda Hani, a 25-year-old visitor to the exhibition. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LL6OSS54XKEGTZCYYUVZE6GSPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5831ad80a362466cf852a76d872720035bd73f5b2cbf1f6f090921e94f9826e4&width=400&height=225)
Children wear virtual reality (VR) headsets at a contemporary art exhibition hall in the museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on January 29, 2019. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EVKJ7WCD5PMXTIDVNWJKQW5DGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd952117b11502d9156e1d4e2441cfd13ca9bf7bb8a1d5e6f847193c0588f19b&width=400&height=225)
Visitors walked through the hall to look at the paintings and sculptures, many of which feature themes of home, return, or conflict. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SNEQTCFULHQJNQRRHBCZHMTODE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f3f1db70608e6d249c5ffa689e5bd5e10dc73b97fefd9183aa8123d20eaa935&width=400&height=225)
An Iraqi man plays the oud, an oriental string instrument, during the opening. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2XJDYWBEQSP3TMKPB2AGLXENVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=033a06bd2715bed3990e5a6ddc6d92d10fb3213fec42e3a541c91e131d3d7b9c&width=400&height=225)
Iraqis stand in front of a 'Welcome to Mosul' road sign displayed at an art hall in the museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on January 29. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/L63AL7VDJ5YJAPRZ6AJV3656GU.jpg?smart=true&auth=831895865768e45202095378bcd3e59cd1c1844d632ddc82815006e8e5a9a254&width=400&height=225)
Mosul Museum partly reopened yesterday with contemporary art display. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OF2HFNQLEJ32CF4DVJALCLOLTY.jpg?smart=true&auth=74cd4f9f3ddd58f40c88021248bc87b625903f6cdaa6841cd8136bfd5da56951&width=400&height=225)
The northern Iraqi city of Mosul served as the Islamic State (IS) group's brutal seat of power for three years, before Iraqi troops recaptured it in 2017. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AI6KLG57FQI5ZSVBNSACKGY4NA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1f2acef94f8273a63cf400cb6472835b3bcecd5976d7eaef37cd5d12e362dd54&width=400&height=225)
A view of the museum's damaged exterior. Mosul's celebrated museum has not recovered since IS jihadists ravaged its ancient treasures several years ago, but part of the complex reopened on January 29 to showcase more modern art. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MIC2GKX7PT2VUHNKTYKROVYFKE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fe3c2cdbc45aac136e90faf0ee345b11aaae8bdd812a421d4755ad80c42aa6d0&width=400&height=225)
For the first time since IS overran the Iraqi city in 2014, visitors on could wander the grandiose royal reception hall, which formed part of the museum. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZSF6P33V5OXZAJMKWHQKRKF7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=c8aa12bcfbd1c466b2d472a04fe07461e2a4bdd5e236232de35c5ad0d47fe482&width=400&height=225)
The contemporary exhibit is titled Return to Mosul, and has been made up with pieces by 29 artists. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3GPDUBKMI4CMIPT357B7ZOXKAM.jpg?smart=true&auth=2fb3d5c774963ecae780ebf53acf4e07c7296f77df539af615d58a30d42e45dc&width=400&height=225)
The remainder of the museum remains closed for security reasons, according to its director, Zeid Saadallah. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZNRHEPF6SN2Z3CSIXQY4CCESH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=463d453cb07f7c03aa8ce736ce7e51dbfe47a3181a39535feea11ad4ff3112ed&width=400&height=225)
The exhibit was "proof that war didn't kill Mosul and that, on the contrary, it's living a full-on renaissance," said Huda Hani, a 25-year-old visitor to the exhibition. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LL6OSS54XKEGTZCYYUVZE6GSPI.jpg?smart=true&auth=5831ad80a362466cf852a76d872720035bd73f5b2cbf1f6f090921e94f9826e4&width=400&height=225)
Children wear virtual reality (VR) headsets at a contemporary art exhibition hall in the museum of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on January 29, 2019. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EVKJ7WCD5PMXTIDVNWJKQW5DGY.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd952117b11502d9156e1d4e2441cfd13ca9bf7bb8a1d5e6f847193c0588f19b&width=400&height=225)
Visitors walked through the hall to look at the paintings and sculptures, many of which feature themes of home, return, or conflict. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SNEQTCFULHQJNQRRHBCZHMTODE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8f3f1db70608e6d249c5ffa689e5bd5e10dc73b97fefd9183aa8123d20eaa935&width=400&height=225)
An Iraqi man plays the oud, an oriental string instrument, during the opening. AFP
Mosul Museum reopens with contemporary art display following ISIS destruction
The museum opening has been seen as 'proof that war didn't kill Mosul'
AFP
30 January, 2019
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