Constance de Bonnaventure, independent journalist, returns from Iraq, where she went to meet the Christians of Mosul.
The former capital of the Islamic State caliphate between 2014 and 2017, almost entirely destroyed by the fighting and bombings of the coalition, the city is slowly rising again, stone by stone. In the heart of the city, the Al-Tahera Cathedral, looted and set on fire by jihadists, is rising again on the banks of the Tigris. However, few faithful are gathering there, as most Christians have not wished to return after the departure of ISIS. And those who have, dream mostly of one thing: to leave.
The same goes for Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, where the journalist also visited to meet those who found refuge there during the conflict and did not leave.
Melanie Chalandon interviews Constance de Bonnaventure, independent journalist.
To go further – Constance de Bonnaventure (real.), “Iraq: the return of Christians to Mosul?”, ARTE Reportage, 2026.
Musical reference – Ilham Al-Madfai – ‘Mali Shugul Bil Soug’ (1999)
