Baghdad Tunnel Becomes Art Space for Iraqi Protesters

 

A bright, colorful wall of art is making over a once dark, uninviting passage under Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq.

"We want a nation, not a prison," is the message of one painting of a man breaking free from jail. Another reads, "Plant a revolution, and you will harvest a nation." That painting shows a hand making a victory sign above the heads of protesters.

Some of the messages are angry. "Look at us, Americans, this is all your fault," declares one.

The Saadoun Tunnel has become an art space representing Iraq's massive anti-government activist¹ movement. Along its walls, young artists draw murals, portraits and messages that examine the country's tortured past -- and the country they hope to create for the future.

Above the tunnel, Tahrir Square is the center of the protest movement. Thousands of people occupy the square, making it seem like a small city itself.

Security forces and protesters clash every day nearby. The troops use tear gas, bullets and small sound bombs to prevent protesters from crossing the Tigris River. On the other side is the so-called Green Zone, the headquarters of Iraq's government. Tuk tuks — three-wheeled motorized transports — often travel back and forth² through Saadoun Tunnel, taking wounded protesters to hospitals.

The tunnel, the tuk tuks and the square are some of the symbols of the largest protest movement in Iraq's history.

The demonstrations³ began October 1. The activists⁴ were angry about corruption⁵, unemployment and a lack of basic services.

Now, they are demanding new leadership.

Young protesters, both men and women, crowd the tunnel. The activists talk, take selfie pictures and pass the time. Pictures on the walls mock Iraqi politicians. Other paintings honor the tuk tuks and the protesters. One image shows a woman with an Iraqi flag painted on her cheek. She holds up her arm in a sign of strength. It is a re-creation of the famous American "We Can Do It" propaganda poster.

Haydar Mohammed said he and a group of other medical students are partly responsible for the murals. They saw the tunnel walls as a perfect medium to send a message to those who do not trust the protesters, he said.

"We are life-makers not death-makers," he said. "We decided⁶ to draw simple paintings to support our protester brothers and to express our message, which is a peace message."

Many of the murals carry calls for peace, a free Iraq and an end to sectarianism. In one painting, a little girl cries, declaring "They killed my dream." Men, some in religious clothing, stand behind her.

Another shows an Iraqi protester wearing a helmet. Its message in Arabic reads, "In the heart is something that cannot be killed by guns, which is the nation." Nearby is written, in English, "All What I want is life."

Yahya Mohammed praises the pictures that surround him in the Saadoun Tunnel.

"Every time I look at them I am hopeful that the revolution will not end," the 32-year-old said, adding, "This tunnel gives me hope."

mural - n. a usually large painting that is done directly on the surface of a wall

portrait - n. a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person that usually only includes the person's head and shoulders

motorized - adj. having an engine

symbol - n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality

mock - v. to criticize and laugh at (someone or something) for being bad, worthless, or unimportant

helmet - n. a hard hat that is worn to protect your head

1 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

2 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。