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Outlook: Book by book, restoring an iconic library destroyed by IS

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Dr Alaa Hamdon outside the newly opened Mosul University library

20/04/2022 GMT

Book by book, restoring an iconic library destroyed by IS

BBC World Service - Outlook, Book by book, restoring an iconic library destroyed by IS

Dr Alaa Hamdon dreamt of replacing thousands of books burnt by militants in Mosul, Iraq

Dr Alaa Hamdon dreamt of rebuilding an iconic library in Iraq - book by book - after it was destroyed by IS fighters who occupied the city of Mosul.

Dr Alaa Hamdon dreamt of rebuilding an iconic university library in Iraq after it was destroyed by IS fighters during their occupation of Mosul. In 2019 he told Emily Webb how the library had housed more than a million books and it was one of the most important libraries in the Middle East. It was a haven for Dr Hamdon when he was a student and then when he became an academic at Mosul University. But the militants left it in ashes, after they burnt hundreds of thousands of books, including ancient texts. Three years after Emily's first conversation with Dr Hamdon we discover if his wish to see its shelves refilled has become a reality. His project to restore the library is called Mosul Book Bridge and it's supported by Book Aid International.  

And we head to Italy to meet one of the country's most famous chefs Massimo Bottura who creates unusual combinations, like foie gras ice cream with a balsamic vinegar centre. Outlook's Dany Mitzman discovers the emotional backstory to his culinary career as Massimo takes her around his home town of Modena. 

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

(Photo: Dr Alaa Hamdon outside the newly opened Mosul University library. Credit: Dr Alaa Hamdon)

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