Contemporary theatre criticism in Iraq: its trends and sources

Abstract

This study explores contemporary theatrical criticism in Iraq, focusing on its intellectual and aesthetic directions, as well as the epistemological sources that have shaped its theoretical and practical foundations. The research aims to analyze the cultural and historical contexts that have contributed to the development of theatrical critical discourse, with a particular emphasis on the major transformations this criticism has undergone from the late twentieth century to the present day.  The study is based on the hypothesis that theatrical criticism in Iraq has not been isolated from the political, social, and cultural developments the country has experienced. Rather, it has interacted with these changes and moved beyond traditional frameworks to adopt a more analytical and aesthetic depth. The research also highlights the various directions of criticism, ranging from academic criticism grounded in Western theories, to journalistic criticism linked to daily events and live performances, in addition to cultural criticism, which has begun to gain prominence in recent years.The research aims to present an analytical perspective on the structure of theatrical criticism in Iraq, identifying its most prominent figures, institutions, and methodological tools. It also addresses the challenges facing this field, such as the lack of institutional support, weak archiving practices, and the scarcity of specialized platforms.