Abbas al Baghdadi

Abbas Shakir al-Fattal, a.k.a. Baghdadi, was born in 1951 in the Rusafa district of Baghdad. His family were tradesmen and he learnt several trades, including carpentry and house painting. He then began the profession of being an artist but in 1969 he transferred his focus to calligraphy which he devoted himself to with a single mindedness until he became the leading calligrapher in Iraq. Having mastered the different calligraphic scripts and then teaching their basis and rules, a large number of students gathered around him from Iraq and other Arab countries. He was also sought by leading calligraphers in and out of the country.

From 1975 until the late eighties, he taught calligraphy and related arts at the Institute of Iraqi Calligraphers and was its president for two consecutive terms. Also, he was the official calligrapher to the presidential office and government institutions, preparing all important official documents.

He has participated over the years in calligraphy exhibitions and events around the world and has been on the committee of judges in assessing works in competitions.

Al-Baghdadi is distinguished in his career as a calligrapher in many areas, the most prominent of which are:

His concern for the teaching of calligraphy and making it accessible to the upcoming generation.

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