Iraq book market up and reading after months of closure
This Iraqi book market is back open for business
after suffering seven months of closure
Location: Basra, Iraq
The al-Farahidi book market is an intellectual melting pot
drawing poets and writers from all corners of the city
40 booksellers re-opened their stalls
welcoming back Basra's bookworms
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BOOKSELLER, TAWFIQ AL-JAZAIRI, SAYING:"The al-Farahidi street, beyond being a cultural street, it doesn't only sell books or host and sell other artistic events. It is a place, a meeting place and cultural melting-pot. Many poets come here to present their work, as well as authors, literary critics, artists, painters and others. So the al-Farahidi street has become a weekly meeting place for every intellectual and thinker in Basra."
