Christopher Resch

Author: Christopher Resch

Nihad Salim Qoja, former mayor of Erbil (photo: Shamal Sharef/DW)

Interview with Nihad Salim Qoja

“Iranian hegemony in Iraq is very strong”

For 12 years, Nihad Salim Qoja was the mayor of Erbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish regions of Iraq. Christopher Resch spoke to the local politician in Erbil about the future of his city and the current political problems in IraqMore

Overcoming cultural divisions: "Iraq is full of inspiring stories" Iraq post-IS: Mosulʹs cultural comeback The uncertain future of Kurdish autonomy: What next for Iraqʹs Kurds?

Mosul Light Orchestra gives a recital in Erbil (photo: Goethe-Institut/Samyan Shaboy)

Overcoming cultural divisions

"Iraq is full of inspiring stories"

At the end of November, a squad of young cultural creatives from all over Iraq met in Erbil, in the country’s north. Their work spans the fault lines that run through Iraqi society, and draws parallels to the revolution in Baghdad and in the country as a whole. Christopher Resch reports from ErbilMore

Women′s writing workshop in Basra, Iraq: Writing to survive Caricaturists in Iraq: Walking a satirical tightrope Iraq post-IS: Mosulʹs cultural comeback

Journalist and author Charlotte Wiedemann (photo: DW)

Charlotte Wiedemann: "Now is the time for utopias"

The end of white dominance

In her latest book – "Der lange Abschied von der weissen Dominanz" – recently published in German, journalist Charlotte Wiedemann describes the upheaval in our changing, multi-polar world with startling clarity. By Christopher ReschMore

Western news coverage: The white perspective Germanyʹs Islam debate: The need to meet Islam critics head on Interview with Islamic scholar Stefan Weidner: Thinking outside the Western box

The exhibition "Forgotten Enlightenments – Unknown Stories about Islam in Contemporary Art" in Leipzig, Germany (photo: Goethe-Institut/Walther Le Kon)

Global history of ideas – contemporary Muslim art

Enlightenment rediscovered

A black sequined dress against a dark background. Two expressive hands dancing. A western dance, an "Oriental" dance – whatever that is. The video-sound-collage of artist Anahita Razmi sets out to demonsrate that cultural forms of expression can be adapted. By Christopher ReschMore

"Contemporary Muslim Fashions" exhibition: Muslim fashion – a material controversy Exhibition: "Jews, Christians and Muslims" in Berlin: Dispelling myths Portrait of the Egyptian artist Soad Abdelrasoul: Creating her own universe

Poster advertising the Atteyat al-Abnoudy Retrospective in Berlinʹs Arsenal Cinema

Retrospective of Egyptian film director Atteyat al-Abnoudy

Advocate of the people

The Egyptian filmmaker Atteyat al-Abnoudy gave a voice to those people the state had forgotten – and preserved their pride and integrity. Her work provides a picture of social injustices in Egypt since the 1970s. By Christopher ReschMore

Atteyat al-Abnoudy retrospective in Berlin's Arsenal Cinema Interview with director Tamer El Said: "In the Last Days of the City": Between light and dark Egyptian film-maker Youssef Chahine: The great visionary of Arab cinema

Maverick and enfant terrible of the Arab film scene: Youssef Chahine (photo: picture-alliance/dpa)

Egyptian film-maker Youssef Chahine

The great visionary of Arab cinema

Obsessive, argumentative, yet well ahead his time artistically and in terms of the subject matter his films addressed: 11 years after his death director Youssef Chahine remains a lodestar for the emerging Arab independent film scene. Christopher Resch explains whyMore

Youssef Chahine: "Chaos": Sympathy with the upright citizens of Egypt Interview with Youssef Chahine: "Tenderness has disappeared"Obituary: Youssef Chahine: A cosmopolitan envoy of freedom

German journalist and author Birgt Svensson (source: screengrab, SWR mediathek)

Birgit Svensson's biographical account "Murderous Freedom"

Between heaven and hell – fifteen years in Iraq

Journalist Birgit Svensson arrived in Iraq in 2003 and never left, enjoying the dubious status of being the only German-language reporter in the country for much of the time since. Recently published in German, "Moerderische Freiheit" recounts her experiences, offering insights into Iraq that go beyond terrorism and war. By Christopher ReschMore

From Basra to Baghdad: Young Iraqis rise up for a life worth living Iraqʹs political future: Entering a new era Women writers in Iraq: Writing to stay alive

Still from "Bloody Beans" by Narimane Mari (source: YouTube)

Author: Christopher Resch

In brief

Most Recent Photo Essay