Circuit - Issue 7 - Spring 2016 by Circuit

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Letter From

The Editor

Jimmie Collins Editor-in-Chief

An American living in the Kurdistan Region for three years, Jimmie Collins has a vibrant social life, a husband, two massive dogs, and no where near enough free time to do all the things she loves. However, she always makes time for food. Circuit Magazine is a hobby turned obsession meant to help share Kurdistan's social scene with anyone who would enjoy it.

Spring is my absolute favorite season in Kurdistan. I think most would also say that it’s one of the most agreeable times to visit the Region. The mountains and hills are blanketed in green, the weather is beautiful, and it’s always time for a picnic. In this issue, we’ve explored a great deal of what it means to be in Kurdistan in spring. Last year we looked in depth at Newroz, Kurdish New Year, by far the most celebrated holiday here in Kurdistan. This year, we take a quick peek into Assyrian New Year - Akitu, which is celebrated in April. We also did a great deal of eating for this issue, putting together information on picnicking, including a recipe for tikka, as well as a few places where you can go out and have a great meal whether you’re looking for something local or a little farther flung. In our Travel & Leisure section, you’ll get a close-up look at what a stay at Tangram Hotel is like. We also took a road trip up to Shanidar Cave, a gorgeous drive into the Kurdish mountains where you’ll find 40,000 year-old history. Our cover story of the month is a little deeper and perhaps more reflective than usual. Shara Kenworthey takes a long, hard look at the art and history of Mesopotamia that has been destroyed by ISIS or perhaps saved by prior pillaging of the region. Considering our overall mission is to show you the best time in Kurdistan, there is also information inside about our new Rewards Program that will make your life easier (and cheaper) so you can continue going out and having fun, all the while spending a little less out of pocket along the way. So as the sun comes out, keep an eye on our events section online (scan those QR Codes) so you know where to find the good times leading up to summer. Enjoy the Circuit,

Jimmie Collins

Circuit Magazine

In This Issue Travel & Leisure:

Tangram Hotel: Boutique Style for a Superior Stay

....Page 12

Shanidar Cave: Kurdistan’s World Famous Cave

....Page 18

Celebrating Akitu: Assyrians Usher in Year 6766

....Page 20

Enjoying the Great Outdoors Kurdish Style - Picnicking

....Page 22

Food:

Recipe: Tikka on the Fire

....Page 27

Mumtaz Mahal: Authentic Indian Cuisine Right in Ainkawa

....Page 30

Eating Around the World at Rotana’s Flavours Buffet

....Page 34

Culture: Issue 7: Spring 2016 Editor-in-Chief Jimmie Collins Publisher Lana Yaqo Oliver Writers Diana P. Hatchett Kyle Hatchett Shara Kenworthey Lana Yaqo Oliver Jeremy Oliver Photographers Adam Mirani Ranj Sarraj Ahmed Mamkak Designers Jimmie Collins Shara Kenworthey Marketing Department Jeremy Oliver Sabah Makki Muhanad Ali Contact: info@erbilonline.info 0750 633 7770

Community:

Made in Iraq: Gearing Up For Their Spring Campaign

....Page 40

Feature:

Stolen Art: The Tumultuous Journey of Mesopotamia’s Treasures

....Page 44

Interest: Circuit Membership Rewards

....Page 50

....Page 53

Understanding QR Codes

Circuit Magazine is a subsidiary of BWFW Services Co.

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Sundays

BBQ Night @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana Titos Networking Night @ Titos Bar - Ainkawa Royal Wine & Cheese Night @ Primo Italiano - Ainkawa Royal

Mondays

Quiz Night @ T Bar Curry Night @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana Sushi Night @ Qi21 - Divan Erbil Ladies’ Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel BBQ Night @ Cristal Viewz - Cristal Hotel Kill Your Monday Madness @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden

Tuesdays

Mid-week Banger @ Bar52 Mexican Tuesday @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana Thirsty Tuesday @ Olive Inn - Tangram Hotel Kurdish Night - Cristal Viewz - Cristal Hotel Lebanese Night - Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Mexican Night @ Primo Italiano - Ainkawa Royal Hotel

Wednesdays

The After Work Party @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden Ladies’ Night @ Quaint Hotel Jazz & Blues Night @ Bar52 Wine-o Wednesdays @ T Bar Date Night @ DC Steakhouse Happy Hour (6-9) @ Olive Inn - Tangram Hotel Mexican Night @ Cristal Viewz - Cristal Hotel

Thursdays

The Last Laugh @ Bar52 International Buffet @ Cristal Viewz - Cristal Hotel Chill Out Night @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden 007 Night @ Divan Hotel Seafood Night @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana DJ Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Arabic & Kurdish Live Music @ Quaint Hotel Party Party Thursday @ T Bar Frozen Thursday @ Olive Inn - Tangram Hotel

Special Dates & Holidays: 5th - Anniversary of Rania Uprising 11th - Anniversary of Erbil Uprising 14th - Mustafa Barzani’s Birthday 16th - Halabja Day 21st - Newroz (Kurdish New Year) 27th - Easter Sunday 28th - Easter Monday

Special Events: 17th - St. Patrick’s Day 26th - Easter Fire @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden 27th - Easter Egg Hunt @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden

Special Courses: 4th-5th: Communicating Effectively @ MSelect 6th-9th: IOSH Managing Safely in Erbil @ Cross Cultural Management Center (CCMC) 6th-12th: Erbil PMP Class @ MSelect 12th - 13th: Time Management @ CCMC 13th - 19th: Suli PMP Class @ MSelect 15th - 17th: HR Management @ CCMC 19th: Customer Service Skills (in Arabic/Kurdish) @ CCMC 19th: Cultural Awareness in Kurdistan @ CCMC 27th - 30th: IOSH Managing Safely in Suli @CCMC

Fridays

Family Lunch @ Rotana German Brunch @ Deutscher Hof Seafood Night @ Cristal Viewz - Cristal Hotel Friday Brunch @ Seasons - Divan Hotel Chinese Night @ Primo Italiano - Ainkawa Royal Latino Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Arabic & Kurdish Live Music @ Quaint Hotel

Saturdays

Open-Mic Night @ Bar52 Karaoke Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Sports Saturday @ T Bar

Scan me for more new & upcoming events! Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Sundays

Special Dates & Holidays:

Mondays

1st - Akitu (Assyrian New Year) 9th - Baghdad Liberation Day 14th - Commemoration of the Anfal Genocide 15th - Yezidi New Year

BBQ Night @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana Titos Networking Night @ Titos Bar - Ainkawa Royal Wine & Cheese Night @ Primo Italiano - Ainkawa Royal

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Thursdays

Special Events: 1st - Omar’s First of April Bash (Stay Tuned for Details)

21st - 10 Year Anniversary Party @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden

30th - Maypole Fundraiser @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden

Special Courses: 2nd - 7th: Procurement, Logistics and Warehouse Management @ Cross Cultural Management Center (CCMC) 3rd - 7th: PMP Exam Prep @ CCMC 9th - 13th: Project Risk Management Professional @ CCMC 18th - 20th: Cross Cultural Leadership (in USA)

Fridays

Saturdays

Open-Mic Night @ Bar52 Karaoke Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Sports Saturday @ T Bar

Scan me for more new & upcoming events! Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Sundays

BBQ Night @ Flavours Buffet - Erbil Rotana Titos Networking Night @ Titos Bar - Ainkawa Royal Wine & Cheese Night @ Primo Italiano - Ainkawa Royal

Mondays

Tuesdays

Wednesdays

Special Dates & Holidays: 1st - International Labour Day

Special Events: 14th - Eurovision Song Contest @ Deutscher Hof Beergarden

Special Courses: 8th - 23rd: NEBOSH International General Certificate @Cross Cultural Maangement Center (CCMC) 8th - 12th: OHSAS 18001 @ CCMC 15th - 19th: ISO 9001 @ CCMC 16th - 18th: Dynamic Supervision & Office Management @ CCMC 22nd - 26th: ISO 14001 @ CCMC 23rd - Communication Skills @ CCMC May 29th - June 5th: NEBOSH for O&G @ CCMC

Thursdays

Fridays

Saturdays

Open-Mic Night @ Bar52 Karaoke Night @ Cheers - Palmyra Plaza Hotel Sports Saturday @ T Bar

Scan me for more new & upcoming events! Circuit Magazine

Ankawa Royal Hotel, one of the finest business hotels in Erbil, is strategically located within minutes from the International Airport and the golden Triangle business and commercial center as well. We combine style, innovation and 24/7 convenience to create a perfectly seamless stay with every modern comfort you deserve.

ELEGANT ENTRANCE TO LUXURIOUS LIFE

Ainkawa Main road , Mar yousif St., Darga Roundabout Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq M: +964 771 4781515 T: +964 66 6251205 info@ankawaroyalhotel.com Issue 7 - Spring 2016 www.ankawaroyalhotel.com

TANGRAM HOTEL Boutique Style for a Superior Stay

By Kyle Hatchett

On the quieter end of town, just off Kirkuk Road, Tangram Hotel offers a sophisticated and reasonably-priced place to dine or stay in Erbil. Lovely rooms, delicious and tasteful dining, and scrupulous international standards combine to make this boutique hotel a big winner. Stepping into Tangram’s lobby, one is transported: Rich red hues and stonework in browns and blacks energize the space. The golden lighting spotlights an eclectic array of Chinese and African figurines. Black and white photographs of an earlier era in Erbil incorporate local history and beauty into this cosmopolitan mix. Tangram’s vibrant aesthetic, unlike the sterile spaces one often sees in international hotel chains, evokes an art gallery or an aristocrat’s drawing room. On the evening my wife and I visited Tangram, a team of professionals were photographing a bridal party. The bride’s beaded gown sparkled in the low light of the lobby and stood out in beautiful contrast to the earthy interior. Meanwhile her friends and family enjoyed the food and drink at the Olive Inn Restaurant adjacent to the lobby. Tangram offers an intimate space for special occasions, whether a small gathering with friends or >>

Circuit Magazine

Travel & Leisure

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

a larger private party. On the ground floor, the Olive Inn Restaurant and Bar serves refreshments to weary travelers as well as to Erbil residents seeking escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The bar features a 50 percent discount happy hour from 5pm to 9pm. At the heart of the restaurant, a pianist softly plays a baby grand, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant is divided into several alcoves, so that patrons can take their tea or eat in relative privacy. After sipping cocktails at the bar, we moved to one of the restaurant alcoves. For our appetizer we ordered a delicious and artfully-presented Oriental mezzeh platter, along with a hot and tasty lentil soup. The baba ganoush was especially good and smoky, and the salads were crisp and fresh. While sipping the house wine, we shared the satisfying and nicely-portioned mixed grill kebab platter for our main course. We concluded with the Tangram Dessert, a set of petite, triangular

Circuit Magazine

chocolate and strawberry cakes, accompanied by an Americano from the espresso bar. It was a lovely ending to a great meal. We stayed in a suite on the seventh floor. A bowl of fresh fruit greeted us in the spacious sitting area. The décor of the room matched that of rest of the hotel: low, tasteful lighting washing over a dark color palette. The immaculately white and plush king-size bed stood out in inviting contrast. Wooden shelving and paneling divided the bedroom from the living area, creating two cozy spaces. A flat-screen TV hung on the high cabinetry facing the bed. A vaulted ceiling – which I only noticed after stretching out on the soft bed – made the room seem ever larger. Fluffy bathrobes and slippers awaited us. The bathroom, with its cool stone and massaging showerhead, felt like a visit to a spa. There was plenty of wardrobe space, and for the business traveler, a long desk and comfortable chair. The hotel also offers a number >>

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

of amenities for visitors to take advantage of during their stay. For those looking to reduce stress or torch calories, Tangram offers a pristine exercise facility with cardio machines, weights, and storage lockers. On the ground floor there is also a quaint outdoor pool, perfect for lounging and relaxing, especially with the lounge bar nearby. Travelers can also use the hotel’s business center on the first floor. Adjacent to the business center are a series of rooms designed for meetings as small as ten people or conferences as large as 150. The hotel’s manager, Mr. Denis Wollner, says that many companies and non-governmental organizations have benefitted from hosting their meetings in Tangram’s unique space. The morning after our stay, my wife and I enjoyed the breakfast buffet at Greens Restaurant on the first floor. The buffet spread fea-

tured both the international favorites of eggs, sausages, crepes, pastries, and breads baked in house, as well as breakfast foods more typical of the region: lebneh, cheese, cucumbers, olives, dates, flatbread, and delicious candied apricots. The waiter delivered a freshly-brewed carafe of steaming coffee to our table. We were almost too full from our delicious breakfast to eat lunch later in the day, but we couldn’t resist some hand-breaded onion rings, French fries, club sandwiches, and beef sliders. The Tangram hotel is locally owned and is managed by Kempinski Hotels, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The manager, Mr. Wollner, is expanding the hotel’s services: Soon the spacious top floor, with its terrific views of the city, will be a Spanish-style tapas bar, ideal for a memorable date night or for private events. Meticulous attention to detail — that’s

how I’d characterize everything I saw in the back of house, from the bakery, where all the hotel’s pastries are baked fresh daily, to the water treatment facility, to the fire suppression system, to the security officers stationed around the hotel — everything was scrupulously clean, organized, and up to international standards. Even the maintenance closet was perfectly swept and had all the nuts and bolts and other spare parts lined up and labeled on their appropriate shelves. I’d be thrilled if my garage at home were anywhere near that organized. The price tag for a stay — $150 to $220 per night, depending on your choice of a basic room, a room with a terrace, or a suite — make Tangram a more affordable alternative to the other luxury hotels in Erbil. Whether it’s for business, a special occasion, or just a “Staycation” nearby, I highly recommend Tangram Hotel.

Circuit Magazine

We Deliver! visit us on http://samafarah.wix.com/sheherazade for a complete list

Sheherazade Co

info@sheherazadeco.com whatsapp/viber 07502624243

W I N E S Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Vo dk a Fre , Wh Ca Leb nch isky , Ch lifor ane , am nia se pa n W , gn e, e ines tc e , tc

Travel & Leisure

Circuit Magazine

Shanidar Kurdistan’s World Famous Cave By Diana P. Hatchett

Living in the Kurdistan Region, many people know there are plenty of ancient artifacts and locations to visit, but most don’t realize they’re only a day trip away from a 40,000-year-old experience. Shanidar Cave, located in the Erbil governorate, is one of the most famous archeological sites for the study of human prehistory. The journey alone is worth the trip: breathtaking views of the rugged Zagros mountains and the sparkling Great Zab river cutting through the valleys below are a welcome escape from city life. I took a field trip to Shanidar with a group of schoolchildren and their teachers. We enjoyed a brisk hike up from the base of the hill to the cave at the top. The sky was clear blue and the air was fresh. Along the way, the children and teachers pointed out the various birds, flowers, and insects native to the Kurdistan Region. A tour guide who met us at the cave explained the history of Shanidar: In the 1950s, American

archaeologist Ralph Solecki and his team made a series of excavations in the cave. They discovered several skeletons of Neanderthals, an early subspecies of Homo sapiens. Rather than the stupid cavemen depicted in cartoons, the Neanderthals recovered at Shanidar showed signs of early human culture, such as hunting, cooking, and burying their dead with flowers. Although subsequent examinations suggested that the Neanderthals at Shanidar may not have placed flowers in the graves of their dead, there is still much to learn about ancient humans at Shanidar. Dozens of archaeological teams from many countries have continued to conduct research at the cave to learn about the environment and practices of early humans. For more modern humans, Spring is the perfect season to make a day trip to Shanidar with family or friends to experience Kurdistan’s beauty and to learn about human history as well as the history of the region. Photo By Adam Mirani

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Celebrating Akitu

Assyrians Usher in the Year 6766

Circuit Magazine

Culture

By Lana Yaqo Oliver

Many ancient civilizations have come and gone in the world, several in the Middle East alone. But one ancient civilization still lingers and thrives in the Kurdistan Region. The Assyrians may be a minority but their passion and pride for their culture does not go overlooked in Erbil, particularly when their New Year celebration – Akitu – is near. Akitu is the Assyrian New Year Festival, it’s also called Kha b’ Nisan in the Assyrian language translating to “The First Day of April”. Centuries before the fall of the Assyrian empire in 612 BC, when it’s power and civilization spread all over the Middle East, other nations such as the Persians and Medes celebrated March 21 as the New Year as well. After the Assyrians converted to Christianity in the first century and the Gregorian calendar was established in the Christian world, Assyrians accepted the new calendar and moved their New Year to April 1, however, Kurds and Persians still celebrate the New Year on March 21, calling it Newroz meaning “New Day”.

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

It is the most important national festival handed down through history from the remote past. The Assyrians today all over the world celebrate April 1 as their national festival. Before Assyrians embraced Christianity in the first century A.D., and according to the ancient calendar, the New Year was celebrated on the 21st of March, this date then and as it is now is the very beginning of spring marked by the spring equinox. Assyrian New Year was the biggest festival under the ancient Assyrian and Babylonian empires. It starts on the first day of the month of Nissan (April) and signifies the turn of the Assyrian calendar. This festival was typically celebrated for 12 days. Tablets discovered and deciphered by the archaeologists explain the festivities celebrated in those days. In Assyria this festival was the most important event of the year. People from all over the Empire came to either the political capital, Nineveh or the religious capital, Babylon and participated in the celebration. There were elaborate and magnificent

processions to and from the great temple in Babylon called Esagila. In 1968, the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) designated this day as the official national day for Assyrians all around the world. It’s the beginning of spring when nature wakes up from the winter sleep. Trees, plants, and flowers begin to bloom again, representing new life in which the forefathers gave a great credit to their philosophy of creation. Revival and rising from death played a big role in their mythology. Assyrians today celebrate the 1st of April as their New Year – Resha d’ sheta – by holding parades, parties, festivals, lectures, and cultural programs. They also gather in the Assyrian clubs and social institutions and listen to poets reciting the story of creation. It is a tradition in Assyrian villages for girls to gather flowers and herbs, which are then suspended under the house’s roof and they are referred to as Deqna d’ Nisan meaning “beard of April/Spring”. Happy Assyrian 6766 New Year!

Culture

Picnicking

Enjoying the Great Outdoors Kurdish Style

Circuit Magazine

By Arayish Barzinjee-Martsch

Just as soon as the sun emerges in early spring and it is barely warm enough, citizens of Kurdistan head to the hills, fields, streams, mountains, and even the roadsides to enjoy the favorite pastime of the region – picnicking. The landscape quickly begins to change and everyone rushes to find the “ultimate location” to picnic. Usually this season begins in late February or early March and runs through the end of September to early October (or even longer if everyone prays hard enough for a longer season to be outdoors). Kurds have always had a deep connection with nature and the outdoors. They have a history of finding safety in its mountains whenever they have been attacked and needed a place to go to for protection. On the other hand, when there is peace, they make the most of their time gathering with family and friends and revel in introducing newcomers and adventurers to the beautiful nature of Kurdistan. Picnic day usually takes place on the weekends on Fridays and Saturdays as well as any other public holiday. Actually, any free sunny day will just about do. The biggest picnic days of the year are those that fall during the week of Newroz – the Kurdish New Year – starting on March 21 of each year. While celebrations typically last all week, this particular day is especially momentous as it signifies the day in history when the tyrant King Zuhak was >>

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Circuit Magazine

Photo By Ahmad Mamkak

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

killed through the bravery of Kawa, the steelworker, freeing the Kurds who Zuhak ruled. To celebrate this victory, the people lit fires on the hilltops to signal to everyone across the land that they are free, and then they danced and ate and celebrated for seven days. Picnics in Kurdistan are not only limited to holidays and weekends. Many schools, colleges, and businesses create opportunities to take their events outdoors rather than indoor rooms or halls. Many weddings and personal celebrations are held in the form of a picnic and with a variety of food and activities. A typical Kurdish picnic begins early in the morning between 8 to 10 depending on which location the group has chosen for their destination. Each family prepares typical Kurdish food, choosing among dolma, biryani or various rice dishes, bulgar (sawar), and a variety of salads to be prepared in advance for enjoyment at the picnic. However, the most popular among picnic foods is grilled kebab or tikka. No picnic is complete without a good grilling of meats in the outdoors! Tikka can be made with various types of meat; beef, lamb, chicken or fish. However, no matter the choice of meat, the magic is in the way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prepared before hitting the grill. The local favorite is simple, yet packed with delicious Middle Eastern flavors. Using all the seasonings from the region as well as yogurt to tenderize the meat, the end result is delicious! To wrap up this amazing foodfest, a proper ending to each picnic is a nice steaming pot of Kurdish tea, which has been brewing on the open pit. While everyone is busy finishing up the last bit of food, the aroma of the tea on the fire is a welcome ending to the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. Now that spring is upon us, it is again time to enjoy nature and the outdoors; the fun part is knowing what your picnic menu will look like each time. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve put together a tikka recipe that you can use next time to head to the hills. Happy picnicking and Afyetit bit!

Sports Bar

Quiz Night Every Monday @ 08.00 PM 26

Circuit Magazine Next to T.G.I Fridays restaurant, in Erbil Grand Hotel

Food

Tikka over the fire By Arayish Barzinjee-Martsch

2 kg chicken, beef or lamb can be used with the following marinade: 1 cup yogurt 2 cloves garlic (crushed) 1/4 cup basil (finely chopped) 1/4 cup oil 1/2 tsp paprika powder 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional) Salt and black pepper to taste Mix ingredients in a blender till all are infused together and pour into a bowl. Add your choice of meat to the mix and be sure it is well-covered, then allow to marinade for minimum of 4 hours (overnight would be ideal) Place meat onto skewers just before grilling so as to have the maximum amount of time for marination. Place on the grill, turning the skewers often enough not to allow burning. Serve with warm bread, condiments and onions, tomatoes, parsley and pickled veggies.

Photo By Ranj Sarraj

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

NEW BOTTLE. NEW LABEL. STILL THE VODKA. There’s a new look for Stoli Vodka. Rest assured, we’d never change the certified alpha grade spirit inside. Especially when it’s winning some of the industry’s highest accolades. Here’s to raising the bar.

DRINK WITH CARE. STOLICHNAYA® PREMIUM VODKA 40 % Alc./Vol. Distilled from Grain. © 2016 Spirits International B.V. All rights reserved. STOLICHNAYA, STOLI, the associated labels & visual properties and the bottle shape are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spirits International B.V.

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Food

Mumtaz Mahal Authentic Indian Cuisine Conveniently in Ainkawa By Jeremy C. Oliver

There are many different ways to enjoy lunch and dinner in Erbil but sometimes you need something with lots of complex flavors and a little punch of chili. Mumtaz Mahal in Ainkawa has an authentic Indian menu that will spice up any night of the week. The low-key atmosphere and the freshly cooked food is perfect for an outing with friends. Mumtaz uses fresh, local ingredients to get the best flavor out of the authentically created dishes. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find typical curries, grilled meats, and vegetarian dishes as well as naan, roti, and other house-made breads on their menu. They also offer delivery for the rainy days when you really want something to warm you up but you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite >>

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Circuit Magazine

be bothered to leave the house. Mumtaz now offers a lunch buffet allowing an all-you-can-eat selection of items from the Indian menu every Saturday starting at 11 a.m. You’ll find everything from samosas and chicken lollipops ((my favorite appetizers), to chicken tandoori, chicken tikka masala, three different types of rice, garlic naan, butter naan, and other seasonal offers. In addition to the authentic food, the dining area boasts seating for as many as 60 people as well as plenty of parking nearby. This spring Mumtaz Mahal intends to offer it’s valued customers outdoor seating, shisha, and free WIFI. Situated on Ainkawa exit road near to the police station, it’s a short drive from almost anywhere and many in Ainkawa would find it very convenient to take advantage of sunny days and simply walk. As you enter the doors, you’ll be welcomed by Rasil, one of six staff members who will serve you with accuracy and kindness. Mr. Omed Faris is the owner and your host, with full intention of catering exactly to your wants and needs. Omed, a local Kurdish businessman, established Mumtaz Mahal in 2013, to fill the void of eastern foods with the influx of Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladesh, Nepali, and Pakistani workers. With a rich knowledge of the far-east culture, you’re sure to find the food delicious and satisfying, especially if you like the spicy tastes of the Orient.

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Food

Eating Around the World At

Rotana’s Flavours Buffet By Jimmie Collins

Often when my friends and I sit down to decide where we’ll go to dinner together, we have a hard time making a decision. There are plenty of places in Erbil to go out to eat, but sometimes it’s hard to find somewhere that will satisfy the cravings of an entire group of people. Someone wants Kurdish or Arabic food, another wants Italian, another just wants a big juicy steak, while still someone else just wants vegetables and can’t even stand the idea of meat at the moment.

In my experience, the best way to tackle that problem is with a buffet. Flavours Buffet Restaurant at Erbil’s Rotana Hotel offers a variety of interestingly-themed buffets throughout the week. Each night has something that can satisfy everyone in a group. The buffet centers around an international array of cuisine in order to satisfy the multitude of nationalities staying in the hotel as well as visiting just for dinner. The themes range from barbecue to curry, Mexican to fresh

seafood. Under each theme you’ll find several different takes on the courses of the night and it’s all-you-can-eat (and drink!) for five-star flair at a fair price. The expansive buffet always offers different salads and appetizers, soups, pastas, main courses, a grilling station where you can personalize your meal, and a lengthy dessert bar. While you’re piling up your plate with all the delicious goodies you can enjoy the live entertainment of the night. >>

Circuit Magazine

Sunday - BBQ Night Barbecue Night features several types of meat selections from Lebanon, Iran and the USA. You’ll find steaks, chicken, skewers, roast, and even shawarma. At the live grilling station you can choose you meat and tell the chef how you prefer it prepared. Don’t forget to pick out one of the nine sauces on offer for grilling and dipping as well. While barbecue is all about the meat, there is no lack of vegetables at this buffet. You’ll find 20 different types of vegetables as well as a huge salad bar complete with a Caesar Salad station which can be modified to your liking. The drinks station on Sundays offers free-flowing draft beer and a wine barrel station. BBQ night is $45 net per person inclusive of open bar. >>

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Monday - Curry Night Curry Night is a new addition to Flavours theme nights. This night compiles different styles of curries from all over the world. Start off at the Chaat Station offering an array of common “street eats” for appetizers. Near the salad bar you’ll find a variety of chutneys, pickles and raita including mango chutney, garlic pickles and pomegranate raita. You won’t just find typical Indian curries like butter chicken or palak paneer, but also Thai, Malaysian, Burmese, and Jamaican inspired curries. The live cooking stations include a tandoori-style grilling area, a seafood curry station with two choices of sauces, and a Singaporean Laksa station, with a long list of garnishes to choose from. All of those curries can be shoveled down with in-house made paratha, roti, or naan breads and your choice of lassi to cool to burn. Curry Night is $45 net per person inclusive of open bar. >>

Circuit Magazine

Tuesday - Mexican Night There are zero Mexican restaurants in Erbil, so if you’re craving Mexican-style food, you’ll be happy to have found Mexican Night at Flavours on Tuesdays. A Latin-style band sets the mood with their South-of-theBorder beats while you sip all-you-can-drink Margaritas and Coronas from the bar. At Mexican night, you’ll find fan favorites including tacos and burritos. Take your pick of a few stewed dishes or spend a few moments at the fajita station picking out the ingredients for your Fajita burrito. Make sure to pile up your plate with sides including the totally traditional red rice and refried beans. The chef’s take on this spicy night includes everything right down to sour cream, guaceamole, and salsa garnishes. A trip over to the dessert bar will even reveal an all-time Mexican favorite - Flan. Mexican Night is $45 net per person inclusive of open bar. Thursday - Seafood Night Seafood is another unlikely cuisine in Kurdistan. Being this far from the sea some would be skeptical, but Rotana’s choices are fresh and well-prepared. Whether you like fish curry, smoked salmon, roasted fish, sushi, or steamed shellfish, you can find it at this lavishly set buffet. Whenever I find myself at Flavours on Thursdays, I admit I wind up piling my plate high with all the sushi, crab legs and prawns I can get my hands on. Another favorite is the grilling station where you can ask the chef to grill up your shrimp or fish just how you like it. When it comes to seafood, most people have very specific preferences so it’s nice to have a little control over how your meal is prepared. The 20 different kind of salads and sides are the perfect accompaniment to the night’s dishes. Seafood night is $55 net per person including open bar. >>

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Friday - Family Lunch For many in Kurdistan, Friday is their only day off of work. This makes Friday an extremely special day of the week and typically most people prefer to spend it with their families. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a traditional family or your friends-family away from your home, the Family Lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is a great way to spend time with loved ones. Fridays incorporate an international variety of food taking favorite dishes from throughout the week, including fajitaas, barbecue, and seafood, whle also incorporating Italian and other Eastern foods you may not find during the week. Kids are welcome any day of the week, but Fridays they can enjoy the Kids Corner where they can play with others or have their face painted. Family Lunch is $50 net per person. Children 7-15 are 50 percent of. Children under 6 are free.

Circuit Magazine

WINE ENTHUSIAST RATINGS SCORE OUT OF 100 POINTS

PTS

My American Handmade Vodka beats the giant “Imports” every day. That’s because it’s distilled six times, we use old-fashioned pot stills we built ourselves, and taste test every batch to make sure you get only the best. Try American! Tito’s is made from corn, so it’s naturally gluten-free.

2015

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Circuit Magazine

Community

Made in Iraq New NGO Gears Up for Spring Campaign

By Jimmie Collins

Philanthropic doesn’t even begin to describe the people who work full-time with refugees and IDPs (internally displaced people). It’s tough work and can be both physically and emotionally draining. One worker with Made in Iraq, Ayesha al-Ani, said when she came home after her first distribution, she could do nothing but cry. “After everything I had seen, I was shocked,” she said. Made In Iraq is a new NGO established by an Iraqi living in the United States, Alaa Anees Hanna. He contacted friends living in the Kurdistan Region, where he’s originally from, and asked them if what he was hearing on the American news was true. “Is it really that bad?” After hearing about the conditions fellow Iraqis were living under after fleeing ISIS, he decided to establish the 501(c)(3) registered organization in Texas, where he lives, and then also register it in Kurdistan. “There are people, real people just like us, that would really need a helping hand to get through the day and get on the way to a better

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

life and a better world around us,” says their registration paperwork. Now the fledgling organization, just a few months old, aims to fill in the gaps that larger organizations can’t or won’t. “A lot of the people we’re helping are those who fled from Anbar or other parts of Iraq,” said Ahmed Fahimi, vide president of the Kurdistan mission. “They’re not registered with any organization as a refugee or IDP because they fled with a little bit of money. But now they’ve run out and they’re making tents out of their clothes or living in half-built buildings.” Made in Iraq started out with assessing the situation and then providing clothing and food. They were especially focused on children, many of whom were running around in the cold Kurdish winter with no shoes or coats to keep them warm. The closer they looked, the more they found that the people don’t just need clothing and food, they need medical care, something that is hard to provide under the best circumstances. >>

“Even if they just have a small flu, there’s no care, so it ends up turn into something even worse,” Fahimi said. The dire living conditions along with, malnutrition, inadequate clothing and close quarters has lead to a quick spread of disease in some areas. Unfortunately, in the short time they’ve been operating, many members of the group have already experienced loss of some of those they worked especially hard to protect. Al-Ani recalls a little girl name Aya who lived in an unfinished building (pictured above) and was very ill. “She had some sort of disease in her lungs. We consulted a doctor at LST (Life Support Team) and then agreed to send an ambulance to pick her up and bring her to Erbil for treatment.” Only hours after the happy call to her family explaining she would receive the care she needed, Aya passed away.

Circuit Magazine

“We just felt helpless,” Fahimi said. “It’s painful. It’s like whatever we do is just a drop in ocean.” No matter how helpless they feel, Made In Iraq perseveres. Coordinating with Life Support Team and other organizations like their own, they’re readying for a spring campaign aiming to bring assistance to 700 families. The campaign intends to hit the crisis from several angles providing one-month food supplies, a hygiene kit, children’s shoes and clothing, as well as basic medical care to combat the spread of illness and famine. They estimate the program will cost about $300,000 or about $428 per family. One could say that’s a small price for that much care, it is a sum that is especially difficult to raise now that the current economic climate has brought donations to a near halt, Fahimi said. “People are able to give clothes and things they were going to replace anyway, but money is hard to part with these days.”

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

STOLEN ART

The Tumultuous Journey of Mesopotamia’s Treasures By Shara Kenworthey

The Mask of Warka, dated from 3100 BC, is one of the eariest representations of the human face. The statue was stolen in the 2003 looting of the Iraq Museum and recovered soon after.

lasting source of fascination and pride resides in the art of the Middle East. The Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian and Assyrian empires left behind collections of durable statues, steles carved with scenes of battles and rituals, cylinder seals and priceless bits of jewelry and instruments inlaid with precious metals and stone that endure as a celebration of their grandeur and attest to their status as advanced societies. The art of the Cradle of Civilization deserves to be shared with the world, its protection and proliferation paramount to preserving this land’s history. But these precious artifacts have had a past as difficult and delicate as the Middle East itself. Through power-struggles during wartime, much of the art of Mesopotamia has been looted or destroyed, though gratefully many artifacts were transported abroad during the area’s excavations that took place from the early 1800s on. Here we take a look at the journey of this art, assessing the implications of its relocation as both a blessing and a curse. Circuit Magazine

THE EXCAVATIONS The Ottoman Empire was in decline at the end of the 18th century, making way for European political interest in Mesopotamia. The term “Mesopotamia” comes from the Greek for “land between two rivers” – referencing the Tigris and Euphrates in modern-day Iraq, though the term also includes parts of present-day Syria, Iran and Turkey. The world of ancient Mesopotamia piqued the enthusiasm of diplomats and adventurers like Claudius James Rich, one of the first explorers to generate public interest in the area’s antiquities in particular with his discoveries at Babylon, Nineveh and Persepolis. He wrote extensively on the topography of the region, spending much of his time in present-day Kurdistan collecting information on the Chaldean Christians and Yezidis. His exhibition at the British Museum and the artifacts he collected on his travels prompted more thorough archaeological research. One of the most famous excavators of Babylon’s riches was Sir Austen Henry Layard, who provided an astounding oeuvre of writings and illustrations detailing the monuments of Nimrud on the Tigris as well as at Kuyunjik near Mosul. He is most wellknown for his discovery of the library of Ashurbanipal, King of Assyria from 668 to around 630 BCE. Alongside historical inscriptions, letters, administrative and legal texts, were found thousands of divinatory, magical, medical, literary and lexical texts. This treasure-house of learning has held unparalleled importance to the modern study of the ancient Near East ever since the first fragments were excavated in the 1850s. This site gave us the Epic of Gilgamesh, considered the first great work of literature. Layard shipped a great deal of his findings to England which now make up the greater part of the collection of Assyrian antiquities in the British Museum. His two published works, Nineveh and its Remains and Discoveries in the Ruins of Nineveh are still considered today as two of the best written books of travel in the English language. Another vital personage in the dissemination of Mesopotamian art was Sir Leonard Woolley, who led excavations at the city-state of Ur from 1922 to 1934, funded by a joint venture between the British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania. Ur was a veritable treasure trove for Wooley: he excavated royal cemeteries, where many Sumerian royals had been supposed to be buried. His team discovered the tomb of Sumerian “Queen” PuAbi, which was found untouched by looters containing heaps of valued grave goods, including a magnificent

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

heavy golden headdress made of gold leaves, rings, and plates; beautiful golden lyres; gold tableware; carnelian lapis lazuli beads for necklaces & belts. The artifacts found on Wooley’s travels were shared. The Iraqi State received fifty percent of the findings, while the other fifty percent were shared between the British Museum in London and the Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, as was outlined in the Iraq Antiquities Law of 1936. Alongside groups projecting a genuine interest in the art were others with darker intentions in mind. Looters intruded, looking to get a piece of the action since the earliest excavations. By the end of WWI, British-occupied Mesopotamia had placed protection on archaeological sites when looting became problematic, even establishing an absolute prohibition on exporting antiquities. This ban was lifted when Iraq became independent of Britain, an opportunity for the black market for antiquities to thrive. During Saddam Hussein’s regime, protection of the region’s cultural heritage was bolstered. Hussein treasured the region’s heritage immensely, doubling the national budget for archaeology and creating museums all over Iraq. Looting picked up as his regime weakened, becoming rampant as Saddam’s government fell.

MODERN-DAY TRAGEDY: FROM OCCUPATION TO ISIS Though these years seem a shaky existence for Mesopotamian art, the truth is that Iraq’s cultural property and heritage resources were among the most well-managed in the world. Archaeological research in Iraq had continued virtually uninterrupted from the early 20th century until the 1980s by groups of archaeologists trained locally and abroad working at Iraq’s universities. This period of delicate prosperity changed dramatically due to a culmination of events: the invasion of Kuwait, the fall of Saddam, and the American occupation of Iraq. In April 2003 as Baghdad was crumbling under surging coalition forces, international media reported that the Iraq Museum had been ransacked and more than 170,000 priceless artifacts had been stolen while US forces stood by and in some instances, contributed to the destruction. In an article from 2003, Piotr Michalowski of the History News Network lamented: “the pillaging of the Baghdad Museum is a tragedy that has no parallel in world history; it is as if the Uffizi, the Louvre, or all the museums of Washington D.C. had been wiped out in one fell swoop.” The Golden Harp of Ur was stolen, one of the three original lyres found during Wooley’s excavation of Sumerian Pu-Abi’s tomb in 1929. In response to the world’s fury, a special US task force that had been conducting counterterrorism operations in southern Iraq was sent to the museum to find out what happened at the museum at the time of the looting. It was found that the museum had been converted into a military compound, and that the artifacts had been stolen by three different groups: professionals who stole dozens of the most precious pieces, random looters who carried off thousands of artifacts from excavation sites, and insiders who made off with almost 11,000 cylinder seals and pieces of jewelry. Since the initial raid, more than 5,000 pieces have been recovered by the original task force with support and from international players and Iraqi professionals. Archaeological historian Brian Fagan’s novel Return to Babylon: Travelers, Archaeologists, and Monuments in Mesopotamia was revamped in 2007 from its original 1979 publication, right at the time of Iraq’s occupation. Fagan argued that one opportune result of the occupation (if one can call it such) was the renewed interest in the preservation of Iraq’s art; but how honorable was this resumption? On the one hand, the museum’s treasures were being sal-

vaged from the destruction of coalition forces and the ignorance of looters. But put the scenario under a magnifying glass and the situation is a bigger monster: while the image of archaeology that Fagan and other “specialists” tout is one of noble humanism, what happened underneath was more complicated; Magnus Bernhardsson, writer and assistant professor of Middle Eastern History at Williams College, claimed that the “battle over Iraq’s historical artifacts was ultimately a struggle over Western involvement in the Middle East.” These misgivings go back to the very first excavations, when the West felt they had stewardship over Mesopotamia’s treasures as Britain tried to ‘rebuild” Iraq after the First World War. It has been a constant tug-of-war between local experts and outside influence, ultimately affecting the destiny of art. The story of Iraq’s artifacts continues on a gruesome path even as coalition forces left the region. The Islamic State influence strengthened, with major cultural heritage sites as a target. In 2014 the militant

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

group started their campaign of “cleansing” the region, razing ruins and annihilating the historical legacy of the area, from Palmyra in Syria over to Mosul in Iraq and down to Tikrit. ISIS’ propaganda network occasionally released documentation of their systematic destruction – in one, they write of the demolition of the Temple of Baalshamin in Palmyra, turning the national museum into a jail and sharia court. Every image of the well-recognized Lamassu the famous winged deity that was a protector of Assyria usually guarding city gates, was obliterated. To date, 41 major cultural heritage sites have been lost to history, called a form of genocide by the director of UNESCO. After being looted, artifacts are sold onto the black market and often find their ways into collections at prestigious museums. Antiquities markets around the world are coming under fire for obtaining artifacts from questionable sources. While researching artifact origins around London in July 2015, neareast specialist Mark Altaweel from the UCL Institute of Archaeology uncovered objects “very likely to be coming from conflict regions” in Iraq and Syria. When Altaweel questioned dealers on the origins of their items, the conversation turned vague. What that tells us is history is repeating itself – during the confusion and unrest after World War I, looters took to sites, just as they did during the Invasion in 2003. And now as ISIS cleanses the region and leaves them in ruin, this tells us that, as before, it’s

not so much the importance of the artifact but the money that goes in the pocket from its purchase. FROM PAST TO PRESENT: IS IT A GOOD THING THE ART WAS TAKEN? I find myself victim to bittersweet feelings about Mesopotamia’s precious artifacts. I’ve been familiar with images of tablets chiseled in ancient Sumerian for years, longing to run my fingers over the worn characters. I sat in awe in Art History classes admiring the colossal Lamassu statues and the brilliant blue of the Ishtar Gate’s walls, all before I had moved to Iraq. I only feel more pained as news develops on the destiny of Mesopotamia’s art which is still uncertain as ISIS holds ferociously to their few strongholds. I sympathize powerfully with the families of this region whose ancestors directly descend from those great civilizations, or anyone from Iraq or Syria who feel their history has been unfairly tampered with. I sympathize not only for the destruction caused by ISIS, but by the flippant back-and-forth trading of artifacts between the Western worlds since the earliest excavations. It’s truly a double-edged sword – the art that was removed has been spared the current destruction, but the artifacts that stayed in their country of origin were looted to be sold on the black market, with only a percentage recovered. Lack of worldwide attention is one reason many experts claim nearly nothing has been done to stop the destruction. One can infer that since tourism has been down in the region due to the occupation of Iraq in 2003, and perhaps even since Saddam’s regime, not many people are exposed to these beautiful pieces and therefore aren’t as concerned with their preservation. So how do we preserve what’s left of the Cradle of Civilization’s ancient fortunes without leaving holes for future looters? Digitization James Cuno, author of the impassioned novel Who Owns Antiquity? which delves into the history and laws of artifacts trade between museums and source countries, poignantly argues that “[a]ntiquities are the cultural property of all humankind… evidence of the world’s ancient past and not that of a particular modern nation. They comprise antiquity, and antiquity knows no borders.” With this in mind, I propose we band together and revamp the purpose of Iraq and Syria’s historical preservation, bringing together the world’s scholars to strive for a new goal: save the art of Mesopotamia, not for international fame or for the completion of some collection, but in the name of all humanity’s history and culture.

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Interest

Circuit Membership Rewards Getting Rewarded for your Patronage

By Jeremy C. Oliver

Have you ever gone to a business dinner with a few colleagues, and thought to yourself, “I wish I could get a discount for bringing my friends, business partners, and colleagues to this place all of the time”? Well, you can. Circuit is officially introducing the Circuit Membership Rewards Program with special discounts at a variety of businesses in the Kurdistan region including restaurants, hotels, bars, real estate, resorts, home delivery of beverages, health and DBA insurance, and more. The new program will offer three levels of membership – bronze, gold, and platinum VIP – each determining a different level of discount. The membership ranges in price from $25 to $75 and is valid for unlimited discounts for a year. The

discount cards are available at any Circuit release party or by visiting our office at English Village 268. There are four levels of the Rewards Program each offering its own benefits. Bronze will be the lowest level card with discounts ranging from 5 percent to 15 percent at specified sponsor locations. The next step up is the Gold card, offering discounts from 10 percent to 20 percent. And finally for the high rollers in Kurdistan, the Platinum VIP card offers discounts from 15 percent to 25 percent. While the Rewards Program offers discounts from nearly all Circuit sponsors, members will be pleased to find other participating locations as well. Each card comes equipped with a QR code, which can be scanned to find out information about

all of the discounts and events available. (To find out more about QR Codes and how they work, check the article on page 59.) Before going out, simply scan the QR code on the back of the card, and it will open a web page listing the events, discounts, and updates to which your level of membership is entitled. Each time a new sponsor adds an advantage, we update the page with all our great new offers. So, if you’re looking for a great services including haircut, beer, dinner, hotel rooms at discounted rates visit us at our office in English Village ASAP. If you would like to become a Circuit Rewards Member or Sponsor, please contact Circuit at info@erbilonline.info or call our office directly at 0750-633-7700.

Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

E RBI L / H O T E L

HAPPY HOURS 4 - 8 PM

Karaoke Nights Ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nights Arabian Nights Ainkawa - in Palmyra Plaza Hotel 52

Circuit Magazine

Interest

Understanding QR Codes By Jimmie Collins

You may have heard by now that QR Codes are going to be the next big thing but then you may be asking yourself, “What are they and why do I care?” QR Codes are essentially a two-dimensional barcode. We traditionally think of the UPC barcodes scanned at the checkout counter in stores when we hear the word barcodes. UPC codes are one-dimensional and can only store up to 30 characters. But QR codes can store more than 7,000 characters and can be used to pull up all sorts of information. Originally used in Japan, QR Codes are beginning to become more popular in the West. These complex coding systems can be scanned with any smartphone equipped with a QR Code reading application. The code essentially acts as a hyperlink. After scanning you may find a simple text image, or you may be quickly transported to a web page in your smartphone’s browser window. QR Codes can be used for an array of information including marketing and advertising, product infor-

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

mation, customer service, or even coupon codes. I have run across QR codes at major tourist sites where you can scan the code and get more information about the site you’re visiting or in museums where the code tells you more about the piece of art your viewing right in front of you. (This comes in especially handy during peak visiting hours when it can be difficult to get close enough to read sign boards.) Even within this magazine you’ll fine QR Codes like the one in the middle of this article. These QR Codes will give you plenty of useful information about what’s going on in Erbil, and as we move forward, we’ll be using QR Codes to incorporate more discounts at your favorite places to visit around town. Want to give it a try? Go ahead and download a QR scanning application. (Mine is simply called QR Code Reader.) Open the app, focus this code in the middle. If you did it right, you should now see Circuit’s Facebook Events page telling you everything going on around town.

OIL WORLD INTERNATIONAL SMART, CREATIVE, COST EFFECTIVE We do work for some of the biggest names in the oil and gas industry. Oil World International (OWI) specializing in smart service providers that makes a difference

Camp Construction & Life Support

Logistics

OWI is an indigenous company which provides various products and technical services to the Energy industry. At OWI, we focus on excellence. In addition to this, we have employed proven business strategies, which distinguish our quality of services. Management team with vast experience in Power and Energy Sector Employee proven business strategies to distinguish our quality of service Encourage "hands-on", dynamic and entrepreneurial management style Maintain a work environment that motivates and rewards employees Evaluate research and development of technological advances in the industry Deliver novel technology of products and services Committed to safe system of work, safe equipment, personal protective equipment and appropriate training to all staff to ensure that gains derivable are adequately harnessed

Industrial Maintenance -

Services for NGOs

English village, Villa #228 Erbil, Kurdistan Iraq info@oilworldintl.com www.oilworldintl.com 54

Oil & Gas Services Circuit Magazine

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Circuit Magazine

Puzzle

ACROSS 1 Blooming tooth robber! You have the legal right to fine him (12) 9 Dostoyevsky›s Prince Myshkin gives one girl books (5) 10 Bursting in and bursting out, we hear (9) 11 Completed dub on soundtrack extraordinarily quickly (9) 12 Recent time lost makes one tardier (5) 13 Some metal boxes get returned, flattened at the edges (6) 15 Radioactive metal found in protein by one university microbiologist originally (8) 18 Composer who brought Spanish language to Italy? (8) 19 It helps produce groovy music (6) 22 Required by one sitting president at meeting (5) 24 Topless sex on Prague television initially bothered censor (9) 26 One who makes good money for his employers wouldn›t be welcome at Lord›s, perhaps (9) 27 Brad returns with a climber (5) 28 Repeatedly speak with East European corrupt dialect (6-6)

Issue 7 - Spring 2016

DOWN 1 Bespectacled Corin somehow finds a S. American flower (7) 2 Brief moment for a lyricist? (5) 3 Give advance payment to South African province before delivery (9) 4 Non-Spanish speaker in America has to travel around to make a call (6) 5 Version of Christe eleison primarily for those with unorthodox creed (8) 6 Banish former huntsman out East (5) 7 Defective hearing result of putting one in the wind (8) 8 Worker is on the edge in Northern Ireland (6) 14 Reluctant Marion undressed for seducer (8) 16 Raised capital to support one theatre with production of Lear, among others (5,4) 17 Eskimo shaman finds English king in capital city, decapitated (8) 18 Commander in chief to the Queen has love for orator (6) 20 Leak incomplete cross-reference (7) 21 A mineral source extremely thin on the ground (6) 23 Dance graduate leaves cake (5) 25 A shortage? What a shame (5)

Solutions

Want to see your ad here? info@erbilonline.info 0750 633 7770

Circuit Magazine

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CARE

We can also provide home visits and Specialist medical consultation Our services include Pre-employment checkups for companies potential employees Emergency response using our fleet of ambulances and fully qualified staff 24/7 Both inpatients and outpatients are catered for Complete primary care covering a wide range of illnesses Standard clinic services include (dentistry, paediatric, physiotherapy, lab services, X-ray, pharmacy, etc )

Bupa International, HTH International, Allianz International, MSH International, Cigna International, Daman International.

Erbil Head Office: Italian Village, Bld. 809 www.lst-medic.com info@lst-medic.com +964 750 361 2040 Issue 7 - Spring 2016

Circuit Magazine