Project's Length: 36 Months (2020- )

Old Mosul’s heritage has become a victim of the violence in the city as part of the 2013-2017 armed conflict with ISIS, which resulted in excessive damage to its historic fabric, heritage and the dignity of its communities who became displaced. The traditional arts, crafts and festivals of the communities, upon which their livelihoods depend, are largely disappearing. In response to the sustainable development goals ofUNESCO's "Revive the spirit of Mosul", and the objectives of the sub-theme “Heritage”, this project aims to counter this cycle of violence and ethnic and sectarian division by engaging with local communities to help sustainably preserve the communities’ intangible heritage and revive notions of shared heritage and historic co-existence.

Throughout its history, Mosul has always been a multi-cultural city, its name derives from this trait – the name Mosul comes from 'wasel' which means ‘linking’ in Arabic. Mosul is home to more than four differentsects and ethnicities; the City is predominantly Sunni, with Shi’i, Yezidis, Christians, Turkmans, and Kurdishminorities. These sects each have individual identities and heritage, but these identities also form part of Mosul’s complex shared cultural heritage that has changed and shifted over time. Heritage can be bothinclusive and peaceful and well as exclusive and marginalising. The multi-cultural identity of Mosul has recently been over shadowed by armed and political conflict which have heightened divisions and distrust within the City.