10 November 2018
H.E Shaikha Mai Attends Louvre Abu Dhabi Symposium
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA), is taking part in an a two-day international symposium (10-11 November 2018), organized by Louvre Abu Dhabi, in celebration of its 1st anniversary, titled “ Worlds in a Museum”, in collaboration with École du Louvre.
The symposium brings together leaders in the field to discuss contemporary museography in keynote speeches and panel discussions. One year after Louvre Abu Dhabi’s opening, the symposium intends to explore and question the DNA of this institution as the first universal museum in the Arab world.
During her participation at the inaugural session, H.E Shaikha Mai said “ In a rapidly changing world, museums come as an effective anchoring force and back-up tools to preserve our historical achievements unaltered by Time”. H.E added saying “ Museums enrich the local cultural scene and enhance the national identity’s sentiments; they are also the bridge connecting us with the outside world and a channel of discourse through which we reach out and communicate with the other, showcasing our universal cultural and historical legacies”. H.E has pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Culture Authority is keen to develop the museum’s infrastructure in the country, working on the establishment of new museums, visitor centers near the archeological sites, renovating and renewing the museums’ shows and exhibitions according to the latest international standards. H.E also said that Bahrain National Museum, one of the first established museums in the GCC countries, is celebrating its 30th anniversary on 15 December 2018, reflecting years of hard work to develop culture and preserve Bahrain’s artifacts, dating back to more than 4.000 years.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa added that Bahrain National Museum welcomes cooperation with pioneer cultural institutions in the region and around the world in order to enrich and diversify the experience for visitors, as well as transferring as loan temporary collections exhibitions outside Bahrain. H.E added that Bahrain Culture Authority is studying the possible organization of an exhibition with the cooperation of Paris Louvre Museum to promote Bahrain’s National Museums’ relics that embody the history of ancient civilizations that stretch back for many thousands of years. H.E praised the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi as a leading destination in the GCC region, a symbol of fruitful productive cooperation between world’s famous cultural centres.
In addition to H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohamed Al Khalifa, speakers include H.E Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture & Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Jean-Luc Martinez, President-Director of musée du Louvre; Henry Kim, CEO of Aga Khan Museum; François-René Martin, Head of the Research team at École du Louvre; Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum; and James Cuno, President and CEO of J. Paul Getty Trust.
The 4 sessions of the symposium bring together leaders in the field to discuss contemporary museography, as well as the challenges and opportunities for museums in a new globalized world. The speakers will discuss the museum’s role and responsibilities in a globalised age, how they can represent national and transnational art historical narratives, and the relationship between centre and periphery – and whether those terms still deserve to be used.
The symposium “ Worlds In a Museums, also explores the DNA of Louvre Abu Dhabi as the first universal museum in the Arab world and a new member of the international museum community, the new challenges it will face in the next coming years
Worth to mention that Louvre Abu Dhabi, recently voted one of the seven urban wonders of the world, announced on recently that it welcomed more than 1 million visitors in its first year, establishing itself as one of the leading cultural institutions on the global stage. The museum also presented family-friendly exhibitions in its Children’s Museum, Traveling Shapes and Colours, and the recently launched Animals: Between Real and Imaginary. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s museum galleries tell the story of humanity in twelve inspiring chapters. Each chapter focuses on shared themes and ideas that reveal common connections throughout humanity. The works on show range from prehistoric artefacts to contemporary artworks. The art on show comes from the museum’s collection alongside many masterpieces on loan from some of the most world-renowned French museums. Louvre Abu Dhabi invites visitors to see humanity in a new light.
