Rivers talk initiative represents an artistic, historical, scientific, and social epic, capturing a dialogue we rarely hear between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. In whispers to one another, these rivers reflect on the burdens of drought that have attacked them—rivers that once shaped the course of humanity's earliest civilizations. This dialogue is depicted by lines in the background of each page as tiny blue waves and delicate strokes. The conversation embodies a historical journey, beginning with the first irrigation system established in Mesopotamian civilization by the Assyrian King Sennacherib and gradually concluding with Iraq’s first barrage, the Hindiya Barrage.

Through a subtle passage between past and present, this exchange reveals the profound connection between the beliefs and symbols of Mesopotamian civilization and its deep reliance on water resources, climate, agriculture, and sustainable development. The rivers discuss the Hanging Gardens as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the spiritual symbols representing those eras, touching on the earliest documented water-related conflicts and treaties. The conversation also raised valuable questions for you to consider, explore further, and map your own journey regarding traditional water transportation methods, particularly waterwheels, the remarkable civil engineer who shaped Iraq’s water management system, the real impacts of climate change and water scarcity on the ecosystem, and much more. That historical review has been coupled with several Iraqi photographers who have skillfully presented photographs that echo this historical context. They carefully select titles and narratives for each image and link them to symbols and historical landmarks.

We hope this human experience, presented in this booklet, inspires us all to listen carefully to this fascinating conversation and the inspiring messages sent to us by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Dr. Sameh W. Al-Muqdadi