October 30, 2025, 7 pm
Many thanks to our this year’s fellow Ali Raid Najm from Babylon (Iraq) introducing our participants to BASATEEN: A Walkthrough of the Contemporary Iraqi Art Scene within the Studio Program at BAI | Berlin Artist Residency, Art School, Arts Incubator, and Live Online Courses & Classes. For his fellowship at the Berlin Art Institute he got a scholarship for participating in the CrossCulture Program (CCP) by ifa (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations). BAI has been his host organization in 2025.
“What does contemporary art in Iraq look like?
Young Iraqi artists often face challenges that prevent them from presenting their work internationally. Ali Raid Najm, an Iraqi artist and writer aims to bridge that gap. In his presentation Basateen – meaning gardens in Arabic – Ali introduces the diversity of Iraq’s contemporary art scene, offering a walkthrough of artists who are redefining creative expression in Iraq today. The presentation will showcase ten young Iraqi contemporary artists working across various disciplines including painting, balance art, upcycling, artificial intelligence, performance, installation, calligraphy, and sound.
The evening will conclude with a poetry performance by Ali, exploring what it means to create, belong, and bloom as an Iraqi artist in an international environment.” (Text by courtesy of Ali Raid Najm)
Ali Raid Najm (b. 1998, Babylon, Iraq) is a cultural practitioner with over three years of experience designing and implementing creative workshops at the intersection of heritage, art, and community engagement. His practice explores how ancient cultural traditions can inspire contemporary creativity and self-expression.
“The CrossCulture Programme (CCP) funds 55 to 60 professionals and dedicated volunteers from over 40 countrieswith its CCP Fellowships. Fellows spend two to three months working with host organisations in Germany or CCP partner countries to broaden their expertise, build valuable networks and further develop their intercultural skills. In return, the host organisations benefit from the expertise, regional knowledge and networks of the CCP Fellows. Participants have the opportunity to take part in cross-cultural workshops, networking events and professional meetings organised by the CCP. The experience gained abroad will be integrated into the work of the Fellows’ home organisations upon their return.” (Text by courtesy of ifa)
