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Fondness of gemstones becomes crucial part of Iraqi traditional culture

STORY: Fondness of gemstones becomes crucial part of Iraqi traditional culture DATELINE: July 30, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:50 LOCATION: Baghdad CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: various of the stone marketSOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SABAH KAMEL, VendorSOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ISAM ABU HAIDER, Lapidary workshop Owner STORYLINE: Walking down a narrow alley near the heritage al-Rasheed street in central Iraqi capital of Baghdad, visitors will be fascinated by all kinds of fine gems and adornments displayed by stall vendors and shops on both sides of the alley. With sparkling colors and exquisite designs, gemstones have captured the hearts of Iraqis for centuries, becoming part of their traditional and cultural heritage. Gemstones are seen by many Iraqis as more than beautiful ornamental stones or objects of art, believing that they will bring about luck, ward off evils, prevent danger, and even possess healing powers. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SABAH KAMEL, Vendor "I have been working in selling gemstones since 2010, and ther

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan (L) talks with a foreign resident at the nucleic acid testing site of a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 22, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan plays the guitar at home after volunteer work at a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 22, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan takes off protective suit after volunteer work at a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 20, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan gives direction to a child at the nucleic acid testing site of a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 22, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan carries tent parts at a nucleic acid testing site of a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 22, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken in January of 2022 shows Iarroumets Jonathan guiding residents to receive nucleic acid tests at a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-FOREIGNER-VOLUNTEER (CN)

(220522) -- TIANJIN, May 22, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Iarroumets Jonathan guides residents to receive nucleic acid tests at a community in Nankai District, north China's Tianjin, May 22, 2022. North China's Tianjin Municipality saw a COVID-19 resurgence recently. Iarroumets Jonathan, a Belgian who has been living in Tianjin for a decade, registered as a volunteer in his residential community. Jonathan developed a deep fondness for Chinese culture at an early age, and came to live in China after graduated from college. Tianjin has become his second hometown. "Everyone is busy fighting the pandemic. I would also like to help," he said in fluent Mandarin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)