Os Guardas do Museu de Bagdad

The play Os Guardas do Museu de Bagdad portrays the last moments before the sacking of the Iraq Museum in 2003. Thousands of priceless artefacts, were stolen, or destroyed by a mob that invaded the museum, while American forces watched, or at least this is what it seems … Why return to this moment, to this place in 2020? Why make this text the starting point for a new creation, a new reflection, 12 years after its premiere in Lisbon?
Because much has changed and much has remained the same.
Because cycles repeat themselves.
Because the destruction of the Iraqi heritage, heritage of humanity, continues.
Because so far not one person has been judged for the looting of the Iraqi Museum. Because this play is not about Iraq in 2003, it is about us today, at this precise moment, in this precise place.
Because there are still ordinary men and women who believe in causes and fight for them
Because this text inspires us, revolts us, touches us deeply.
And because it awakens in us the will to dig deeper. It makes us archaeologists of the truth and of injustices, committed in our name but without our consent.
Because utopias are necessary and awareness is not a luxury. Because conscience alone is worth nothing.
Because we need hope…