RIYADH: Tokyo National Museum is the next stop in January for the “Roads of Arabia” exhibition of Saudi archaeological masterpieces organized under the supervision of Prince Sultan bin Salman.
Since its opening on July 13, 2010, at the Louvre Museum, Paris, the Roads of Arabia has been hosted by 10 international museums in Europe and the US, from where it moved to the Asia tour with the first stop in Beijing in 2016.
It was held in the South Korean capital of Seoul in the middle of this year and then moved to the National Museum in Riyadh in November as part of the first Saudi Archaeology Forum. Riyadh was the second Saudi city to host the prestigious exhibition: It was hosted earlier by the King Abdul Aziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran under the patronage of King Salman in December 2016.
The Roads of Arabia and some of the accompanying exhibitions at the National Museum have now finished, having attracted a remarkable turnout of 200,000 visitors over a month and a half that included diplomatic delegations, ministers and senior officials.
A few of the exhibitions hosted as part of the archaeology forum at the National Museum have been extended for some days as per instructions from the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH).
The forthcoming schedule for the exhibition in 2018 besides Tokyo includes Istanbul in June and the Louvre Abu Dhabi later in the year.
Setsuo Ohmori, deputy head of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Riyadh, told Arab News that the opening ceremony for the Roads of Arabia at Tokyo National Museum is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2018.
He added that Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the SCTH, is expected to attend the ceremony.
Jamal S. Omar, director general of the National Museum in Riyadh, told Arab News: “Many of the visitors had little idea about the archaeological depth and findings and were surprised to see it over the exhibition period.”
The exhibition gave visitors the opportunity to see 466 antiquities that identify the civilization and culture of the Kingdom through different ages, Omar said.
Earlier, Diaa-Eddin Saed Bamakhrama, dean of the diplomatic corps and ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti in Riyadh, who led a diplomatic delegation to the exhibition, said it was a learning experience, especially in light of the Arabian Peninsula’s strategic geographical location in the heart of the world and its importance as the home of successive civilizations.
‘Roads of Arabia’ exhibition makes its way to Japan
‘Roads of Arabia’ exhibition makes its way to Japan
Ithra will bring Spain to life for 2-week cultural celebration
- Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower
DHAHRAN: Visitors to the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) can enjoy a taste of Spanish culture from Jan. 12-31.
Under the banner “Live Spain,” spaces at Ithra will be transformed to give a glimpse of life in this vibrant European country.
Ithra Cultural Days will unfold across the plaza, museum, theater, lush garden, library, idea lab, cinema, children’s museum, energy exhibit and Ithra tower, with exhibitions dedicated to Spanish photography, fashion and sports. There will also be Spanish cuisine and interactive installations exploring historical and linguistic connections between Arab and Spanish traditions.
There will be live performances across various stages, with a production of “Carmen” among the highlights.
“Cultural exchange is a core part of Ithra’s approach to programming. Celebrating Spain’s culture and history reflects this focus, particularly as this year’s Cultural Days take on a distinctive character by exploring Spain’s cultural heritage,” Noura Alzamil, program manager at Ithra, said.
“Visitors to Ithra will experience an exciting program in every sense, given the scale and variety of events designed to appeal to all tastes and interests.”
Cinema showings will feature Spanish short and feature films, accompanied by post-screening discussions to provide additional cultural context, while talks and sessions in the idea lab and library will explore architecture, literature and creative practice.
Hands-on workshops will invite visitors to engage directly with Spanish crafts and creative traditions, from visual arts and design to food-related practices.
A dedicated program for children and youth will run alongside with storytelling, creative workshops and performances among the attractions. Food and market experiences in Ithra’s public spaces will reflect the important social role played in the country by food.
Ithra Cultural Days present international cultures through immersive, public-facing experiences. This year’s focus on Spain follows the success of last year’s Japan edition, which welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in just two weeks.
