The Iraqi Festival of Toronto
The Iraqi Festival is an annual festival that celebrates and presents the Iraqi culture, heritage, music, and arts.
Iraqi Canadian Society Shines with Landmark Cultural Festival at Aga Khan Museum
In celebration of its 31st anniversary, the Iraqi Canadian Society hosted a groundbreaking cultural festival at Toronto’s prestigious Aga Khan Museum. Despite challenges posed by the global pandemic, the Society successfully showcased the richness of Iraqi heritage through art exhibitions, literary presentations, and inspiring musical performances—including a captivating Sufi Jazz concert by renowned Iraqi artist Mustafa Alazzawi.
The two-day event gathered attendees from across Canada and the United States, reflecting the Society’s growing prominence and international stature. It also marked a significant milestone, as the Society transitioned to a federally recognized organization, expanding its role in promoting Iraqi culture and community in Canada.
This festival reaffirmed the Society’s commitment to fostering cultural pride, artistic excellence, and community engagement—paving the way for future successes on both national and global stages.
Sufi Jazz Fusion with Mustafa Alazzawi at the Iraqi Festival of Toronto
The first day of the festival concluded with a captivating Sufi Jazz concert by artist Mustafa Alazzawi. Blending Eastern spirituality with Western musical elements, the performance offered a fresh, cross-cultural take on traditional Sufi music.
Audiences were treated to a spiritual and sonic journey that broke away from expectations, emphasizing harmony, connection, and the soulful depth of fusion music.
Iraqi Festival of Toronto
The Iraqi Canadian Society proudly participated in the Iraqi Festival of Toronto (IFT), a landmark cultural event celebrating the depth and diversity of Iraqi heritage through music, literature, and community engagement.
Among the festival’s standout moments was Letters from Iraq — a deeply moving musical performance by Grammy-nominated oud virtuoso Rahim Alhaj, accompanied by a string quintet. His compositions, rooted in memory and emotion, told stories of resilience, displacement, and the shared humanity that connects us all.
Another highlight was a powerful literary evening titled “The Things That Can’t Be Said: Trauma, Love, and Defiance in Iraqi Women’s Literature.” This event featured award-winning playwright and performer Heather Raffo in conversation with literary scholar Dr. Amir Al-Azraki, offering a rare window into the voices and experiences of Iraqi women through poetry, dialogue, and performance.
The Iraqi Canadian Society’s presence at the festival reflected our ongoing commitment to cultural preservation and storytelling. By supporting and uplifting events like IFT, we continue to foster a stronger, more connected Iraqi Canadian identity across generations and cities.
Book Signing with Dr. Khairallah Said
As part of the Iraqi Festival of Toronto, renowned cultural researcher Dr. Khairallah Said hosted a special book signing and discussion that explored themes central to Iraqi identity and creativity. In a thoughtful presentation, Dr. Said addressed the importance of understanding Iraqi creative expression, the impact of exile on cultural identity, and the richness of Iraqi literary traditions.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage with Dr. Said’s thought-provoking ideas and receive signed copies of his influential works, including:
– The Encyclopedia of Paper and Papermakers in Arab-Islamic Civilization (6 volumes)
– Jibit Kul al-Iraq w Jeet – a poetic epic
– Muzaffar Al-Nawwab: The Pinnacle of Creativity in Iraqi Folk Poetry
– Shaker Al-Samawi: The Distinct Rhythm in Iraqi Popular Poetry
This event served as a powerful reminder of the depth of Iraqi literary contributions and the enduring role of culture in shaping community and identity.
