Museum and Heritage Studies: The Case of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI)

Iraqi Kurdistan is an autonomous region established in 1992. It is located in the north of Iraq and in the north of what was once Mesopotamia. With over 8,000 years of settled communities and a history shaped by numerous civilizations, the region is diverse and rich in culture and art, both ancient and modern. But how is this heritage being preserved and presented through cultural and artistic organizations such as museums, galleries, and archaeological sites? And are they adding social value to the community? Museums, much like libraries, are public service institutions with an educational mission. However, achieving their full potential as community resources requires addressing many factors. Through my thesis: - I aim to understand the educational, economic, and social roles of museums, focusing on how community engagement and preservation enhance social cohesion, foster shared cultural identity, and build social capital. - I want to investigate and analyze how museums and galleries in Iraqi Kurdistan operate across different cities. How do they preserve cultural heritage? How do they manage and sustain themselves? How do they engage with their communities, and what challenges do they face? To complement this, I will conduct a survey in one city to explore public perceptions and engagement with museums and heritage. - I will discuss potential outcomes for social capital, engagement with heritage, and a deeper understanding of history and cultural value shaped by the influence of museums and heritage in the region. The Kurdistan region, like Iraq as a whole, has faced significant instability throughout its history, hindering development in many areas, including heritage preservation. Now, with greater stability and investment across sectors, there is significant potential for cultural heritage to become a focus for development. First, it can benefit the community by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of heritage. Second, it can attract tourism, creating economic opportunities. To achieve this, cultural and artistic organizations must be inclusive and act as bridges to society. Promoting cultural heritage can inspire a sense of identity, pride, and belonging among community members, strengthening social bonds and cooperation. However, the past has created a disconnection between locals and their heritage. At times, locals have felt that their heritage belongs more to foreigners—a legacy of colonialism compounded by regional instability and the lack of targeted engagement strategies. As someone from the region and deeply passionate about cultural heritage, I am committed to addressing this gap. This field is not widely explored or documented, especially in the context of Iraqi Kurdistan. I believe this research can open the door to further studies, draw much-needed attention to the field, and support the development of cultural policies. Ultimately, I hope it will encourage greater investment and promotion of cultural heritage in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, inspiring a stronger connection to our past and highlighting its importance for our future.