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Pain is the constant companion of wars, disasters, pandemics and causes deep wounds in the collective consciousness of those affected. Cultures are destroyed, some so massively that healing seems almost impossible, for example the current fate of the Palestinians, whose decades-long martyrdom is developing into an ever faster spiral of destruction.
In other countries with painful experiences, it is the initiatives of individuals that bring about signs of positive change. One of these is Ali Khaleefah with his "Butterfly Effect" initiative in Baghdad. Iraq, marked by wars and crises, is still reminiscent in many places of the ruins of Germany after the Second World War. Building courage and strength for the future in such an environment is a challenge for children, for example, even on the way to their neglected school buildings!
It is therefore admirable that the artist Ali Khaleefah has chosen school buildings as the "canvas" for his street art, which he decorates in bright colors. And what children wouldn't rather walk past an oversized Mickey Mouse picture to class than rubble?
The Berlin artist Eva Prietz, who herself spent many years of her childhood in Iraq, has dealt with his projects. She has created the beautiful article "A butterfly effect: small pots of paint, big impact" which is available for download below.
