After a devastating car-bomb attack in 2007 Baghdad’s famous book street, Al Mutanabbi, has been a shadow of its former self, but a revival began in 2015.

As we enter the eleventh year since the devastation, Al Mutanabbi Street, which reaches almost to the Tigris, is thriving again.

Image via Sharjah Book Authority via twitter


In March there will be special readings at the Shanabar Café to mark the anniversary.
Check out this Youtube video to see the book street in action.

This post is one of four today looking at the Arab Renaissance.

Arab Renaissance 1: The book café themed like a book

Arab Renaissance 2: Eager readers buy books by the suitcase at the Cairo International Book Fair

Arab Renaissance 4: Saudi Arabia’s first Arts Book Fair is underway as Casablanca IBF opens and Cairo IBF closes. Publishers look the other way