KIRKUK, Iraq - Kirkuk Museum has been opened to the public for the first time after its completion 10 years ago. Dozens of wax statues can be seen in the museum. Each one of them is composed in a way that depicts a different part of society, shaping their identities by different styles of clothes. Sardar Adil, an archaeologist from Kirkuk, on Friday told Rudaw that “the museum consists of 18 sections. Fourteen are located at the top of the garrison and the other four are in the lower part of the garrison.” “Each part of the museum portrays the work and activities in Kirkuk,” he added. A major part of Kirkuk's museum is solely dedicated to illustrate and introduce Kurdish culture and traditions. It includes sermons, knitting, clothing, and many other professions. The statues that are displayed in Kirkuk’s museum represents the cultural side of Kurdish community in Kirkuk “The Kurdish nation in Kirkuk is an ancient nation. They have been a big part of Kirkuk’s history.” Yusuf Taib, director of Kirkuk's cultural house, told Rudaw, adding that the museum shows other nations as well, but the Kurds have taken up most of it. The museum is now open to people and tourists. The main aim of the museum is to depict and show the real image of Kirkuk's history. The statues in the garrison have been sculpted by the Kurdish artist, Man Ahmed. The museum was built within the Qeshla (garrison), which is an important site of the city and dates back to the Ottoman era in 1863. At the time, it was used as a military headquarters.
