francene--blog. Year 2013
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Sept 27th

9/27/2013

 
Picturetheage.com.au
Ali Baba, a character from medieval Arabic literature, is described in the adventure tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. He conjures up the original version of magic and stories of impossible deeds. But life has moved on, and foreign lands are no longer full of mystery. Baghdad, Iraq, north of Saudi Arabia is in trouble.

Sectarian violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008. At least 23 people have been killed in blasts targeting markets in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, with many injured as the area was packed with shoppers.

More than 5,000 people have died so far this year in Iraq, 800 of them in August alone, according to the United Nations. The worsening violence is also seen a spill-over from the conflict in Syria.

There are fears of a return of sectarian violence that peaked in 2006-2007 and killed tens of thousands of people. I don't even remember this. What's going on in the world with all this violence? I suppose there's no returning to former days of wonder about foreign lands.


Picturewww.victorianweb.org
Picture: The North Gate, Baghdad. Arthur Melville.

I don't know about you, but the name Baghdad brings romantic images to my mind. I spent my early years in Parhran, Melbourne, surrounded by wonderful, colorful people. One of my mother's friends introduced her twenty-something daughter, who worked in the theatre. My mother made her wonderful dresses with full skirts and tight bodices as was the fashion in the fifties.

One of the first live shows in which we saw Jeanette Lydall play the female lead was Kismet, the lavish 1955 musical fantasy. Wonderful costumes, heart-breaking romance, memorable music, a whimsical plot, and the mystique of a foreign land. I'll never forget the songs like And This is My Beloved.

Will these troubled times ever become a story to delight the senses with romance and mystery?


Marika link
9/26/2013 09:29:04 pm

Oh I loved reading (and watching) the story of Ali Baba, what fun memories from my childhood. Haven't been to Baghdad, but I'll hopefully visit it once the troubles are over.

Francene Stanley link
9/26/2013 10:46:36 pm

I wonder if troubles will ever cease in our world.

Peggy Nolan link
9/26/2013 09:55:46 pm

I hear you, Francine. It's sad that a land so rich in history is eating itself alive.

Francene Stanley link
9/26/2013 10:47:34 pm

You put that beautifully, Peggy. There can be nothing worse than self-harming.

Sophie Bowns link
9/26/2013 11:02:12 pm

How horrible! Why are some humans so destructive? :(

Francene Stanley link
9/27/2013 03:11:50 am

To bomb innocent bystanders is heartless. I fail to understand why a cause that a person believes in can close their eyes to people's suffering.

Alana link
9/27/2013 08:18:18 am

So much suffering in so many places in the world. I can only hope that some of the feelers being put out by the new Iranian government pan out. It's been too many years. So little good news, nowadays.

Francene Stanley link
9/27/2013 06:40:37 pm

Let's hope something is done to control this misery.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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