Baghdad: The National Library and Archives is currently showcasing an extraordinary collection of rare documents that chronicle pivotal moments in Iraq’s history at the 27th Baghdad International Book Fair.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Director General of the House of Books and Documents at the Ministry of Culture, Bariq Raad Alawi, emphasized that their participation in the book fair aims to highlight Iraq’s rich documentary heritage and the extensive efforts undertaken to preserve and restore these invaluable records.

The exhibition features a diverse array of rare documents, correspondence, and maps that capture significant milestones in modern Iraqi history. Among these are the document marking Iraq’s accession to the League of Nations in 1932, records concerning the displacement of Arab tribes in 1933, the document awarding the Order of the Two Rivers, and the declaration of the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq. The exhibition also includes photographs of monarchs from the royal era and emblems representing the Iraqi state.

Alawi further illustrated the inclusion of a rare map displaying the distribution of tribes in the Baghdad province from 1918, as well as a plan of the garden of the Al-Rahab Palace from 1933. Additional exhibits feature correspondences and school reports documenting Prince Ghazi’s education at the British Hero School, his subsequent decision to return to Iraq in 1929, and his enrollment in the Military College.

A noteworthy exhibit is a document from the monarchy period that records the discovery of artifacts in the town of Ramadi and their transfer to the head of antiquities, Nasser Al-Naqshbandi. This document reflects the systematic approach to safeguarding and documenting archaeological discoveries during that era. Alawi underscored that by displaying these documents, the public gains access to original sources of Iraqi history, reinforcing the House’s ongoing dedication to restoring and preserving these documents as a crucial part of the national memory and a valuable reference for future generations.