XOFRAN EL-RADI

Baghdad– The Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, which was formed in the 1940s, was officially founded in 1959.  It is considered one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the world. Nur Mihemed, one of the members of the orchestra, draws attention to the role of women in the orchestra. “Many of our members died from coronavirus. We lost our precious members but their love for music continues with us,” Nur Mihemed told us.

“The presence of women is a great support”

Talking about the role of women in the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, Nur Mihemed said, “The presence of women in the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra is a great support for us, as in every part of life.” Expressing that they want to increase the number of women in the orchestra and promote art and music culture, Nur Mihemed, “But women have faced challenges due to the men with some bias against women’s talent and creativity.”

“They don’t want women to take part in the music world”

Nur Mihemed began her career in music 10 years ago. After graduating from the College of Fine Arts, University of Baghdad, she worked as an academic. Emphasizing that the problems faced by women in the music world begin when they prefer to take part in the music world, Nur Mihemed said that women have a strong bond with music and they express their feelings through music. Nur Mihemed also talked about her career in the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, “Since the beginning, men don’t want women to take part in the music world and they do their best to defeat women.”

“Women should be supported”

Nur Mihemed is the first woman taking part in the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra, “But I am not the last woman. The number of women in the orchestra is now nine. This number should increase. Women should be supported to take part in the orchestra.”

“Music is the symbol of love and peace”

“Music is the symbol of love and peace,” Maestro Mihemed Ezat said, “I have been working for five orchestras since the 1990s. Despite the siege and war conditions, the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra has made progress. State institutions and the Ministry of Culture ignore the orchestra. We have faced logistical problems regarding rehearsal space and pre-concert preparations. We will collect money from our members to rent a space.”