ORHA Fact Sheet - Ministry of Culture

ORHA Fact Sheet Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance Thuraya Phone: 88-216-7744-1080 Email: orhapic@yahoo.com Ministry of Culture Fact Sheet May 11, 2003 Overview The Ministry of Culture is responsible for overseeing a wide variety of areas concerning entertainment and the heritage of the Iraqi people. Along with overseeing archeological sites and museums, the ministry oversees cinema, theater, fine arts, fashion, publishing and dance. The ultimate shape and management of the Ministry will be determined by the Iraqi people. Until then an interim steering committee is overseeing the ministry. The steering committee is made up of a six-person board of respected academics and cultural experts. This interim body is working with a number of sub-committees to address the areas of rebuilding, personnel, finance, legal issues, and tasking. Goals of the Ministry In the short term the interim ministry is working on issuing salaries to all employees of the Ministry, finding a new ministry headquarters and securing antiquities. Longer term goals are the return of looted goods from museums and sites, a complete assessment of national treasures and the rebuilding of museums and libraries damaged by the war and neglect. Emergency payments have been given to most employees of the ministry. The steering committee is finalizing a list of employees so that salaries will be paid. Until a permanent site for the Ministry of Culture is constructed, a temporary headquarters has been designated. The Iraqi Fashion House is being worked on by engineers to make it ready. This should be completed in about three weeks. Departments within the Ministry Tourism Cinema Publishing Publishing Fine Arts Music Poetry Sculpture Kurdish Folklore The Iraqi House of Fashion National Library Museums Antiquities and Heritage