Baghdad Day

On Saturday I went out to Zawraa Park, a sprawling downtown Baghdad park with a small lake with paddle-wheel boats, amusement rides, kiddie playgrounds, picnic spots and also the site of the Baghdad Zoo. The city put on an exhibition in honor of 'Baghdad Day' a holiday celebrating the founding of ancient Baghdad; this holiday has not been recognized for a number of years. I went to a flower show. A young horticulturist employed by the city told me about the different types of flowers found in Iraq. There was an outdoor podium set up; I knew that some festivities might be planned, but I had no idea that Prime Minister al-Maliki was going to show up and give a speech. The Mayor and some other Provincial Council members that I work with were there; an assortment of about 200 of Baghdad's leaders had gathered to speak about Baghdad's renaissance and rebuilding efforts. The Prime Minister spoke about Baghdad emerging from a "nightmare" and committed the national government to increasing Baghdad's capital budget for next year. Security was tight, but such large public gatherings in the open outdoors are not regularly attended by senior Iraqi officials. Families walked through the park along the edge of the lake. The fountains were working. There was a line-up of antique cars. From Saddam's private collection; one of them a gift from Hitler to King Ghazi in the 1930's. The Zoo and the amusement park were open. A local told me that families are feeling safe enough to venture out to such places again. Back in 2005, one of the first things I asked my interpreter to teach me how to say was that it was a "good day in Baghdad;" either said in earnest or sarcastically it broke the ice with many of my contacts. Or because I mangled it so badly that they would have to ask my terp what the hell I was trying to say. Saturday I said it again to many of the people I met. I got pleasant smiles in return. Improvements in my language ability; improvements in other things.