• A volunteer walks across the stage during restoration work at Al Rasheed theatre, in Baghdad, Iraq. World Theatre Day is celebrated every year on 27 March. EPA
    A volunteer walks across the stage during restoration work at Al Rasheed theatre, in Baghdad, Iraq. World Theatre Day is celebrated every year on 27 March. EPA
  • A view of the damaged sign of the nine-storey Baghdad Cinema Studios building, home to Al Rasheed theatre, which is currently undergoing renovations. EPA
    A view of the damaged sign of the nine-storey Baghdad Cinema Studios building, home to Al Rasheed theatre, which is currently undergoing renovations. EPA
  • A volunteer at work on renovating the Al Rasheed theatre. The venue was hit by allied forces airstrikes in 2003, during the Second Gulf War. EPA
    A volunteer at work on renovating the Al Rasheed theatre. The venue was hit by allied forces airstrikes in 2003, during the Second Gulf War. EPA
  • The building was also severely damaged by looting, ransacking and arson, rendering it unusable. EPA
    The building was also severely damaged by looting, ransacking and arson, rendering it unusable. EPA
  • Opened in 1981, the theatre was a centre of cultural life in Baghdad, hosting Arab and international shows. EPA
    Opened in 1981, the theatre was a centre of cultural life in Baghdad, hosting Arab and international shows. EPA
  • A volunteer works on installing seats at Al Rasheed theatre in Baghdad.
    A volunteer works on installing seats at Al Rasheed theatre in Baghdad.
  • A view of seating installed at Al Rasheed theatre. The venue has a 700-seat capacity. EPA
    A view of seating installed at Al Rasheed theatre. The venue has a 700-seat capacity. EPA
  • A volunteer stands among drums set up at Al Rasheed theatre. The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra has placed instruments there in the hope of playing at the venue again soon EPA
    A volunteer stands among drums set up at Al Rasheed theatre. The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra has placed instruments there in the hope of playing at the venue again soon EPA
  • A double bass player takes centre stage at Al Rasheed theatre in Baghdad. Serous efforts towards reconstructing and restoring the theatre began in 2020. EPA
    A double bass player takes centre stage at Al Rasheed theatre in Baghdad. Serous efforts towards reconstructing and restoring the theatre began in 2020. EPA
  • Al Rasheed theatre shares its Baghdad neighbourhood with a church and a mosque. Reconstruction work is due to also cover the building's cinema studios. EPA
    Al Rasheed theatre shares its Baghdad neighbourhood with a church and a mosque. Reconstruction work is due to also cover the building's cinema studios. EPA

MENA

Iraq's Al Rasheed restoration on World Theatre Day - in pictures

The venue in Baghdad is being restored nearly two decades after it was almost completely destroyed

The National

March 27, 2021

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