As Agatha Christie's Iraq home falls apart, activists launch campaign to preserve and protect it

Locals and activists in Iraq's capital of Baghdad have called for authorities to protect and preserve the historic home where renowned English author, Agatha Christie, once lived for around 13 years.

"It's [the home] beautiful, but the upper level is collapsing. It's dangerous," a resident and activist told local media.

The home, now dilapidated, has been in a dire state for months. In May, local media reported that the impressive Ottoman-era structure was at risk of collapse.

Currently, the two-story home is unliveable, with the ceiling having largely fallen through, the arched windows in ruin, and the wooden balcony falling apart. The home has been graffitied with Arabic signs reading "warning" and "risk of collapse".

Christie, who authored 66 novels and 14 short story collections, had fond memories in both Iraq and Syria. She even spent time in Cairo in 1910, where she would attend parties and was briefly engaged.

However, there have been some obstacles in restoring the home.

The director general of the state board of antiquities and heritage, Iyad Kazem, told local media that the house is registered as a heritage property but remains under private ownership.

"According to Law number 55 of 2002, public funds cannot be allocated to restore private properties unless legally acquired," Kazem said.

He added that the government has made repeated efforts to buy the house from the current owner, identified as Humam al-Qaraghouli, but he has refused.

"He insists on restoring it himself with the cooperation of international organisations," he added.

The owner has further said he previously spoke with the British Embassy in Baghdad about restoring the home, but nothing has yet been done.

However, activists and locals maintain that the future of the home is uncertain.

Iraq's influence on Christie's work

Christie's time spent in Iraq was with the British archaeological mission in Nineveh, while some biographers say that her experience in the country had a significant influence on her work. Christie's husband, Sir Max Mallowan, lived in the home with her during their tours around the Middle East in the mid-20th century.

One of the author's books, titled "They Came to Baghdad," contains references to the home. The book is about a secret weapon, in which only one man can confirm the nature of, however, the criminal organisation responsible for making it try to stop him from entering Baghdad and showcasing it to a summit of superpowers.

References to the iconic home even made it to her autobiography, where she calls it a "delightful old Turkish house on the west bank of the Tigris."

Other references describe its cool courtyard, the tall palms and date groves visible from the balcony.

The city of Baghdad also featured in her novel, "Murder on the Orient Express," which is another example of showing her love for the country. At the time, a train from Baghdad could take people to Turkey and Europe.

According to reports, the house also once belonged to Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the brother of Iraq's King Faisal I.

Christie, born in Torquay in 15 September 1890, is one of the world's best-selling mystery authors, with her books selling over a billion copies worldwide in multiple languages. She is believed to have taught herself how to read and spent a lot of time at home, which fuelled her imagination and creativity.