Saudi heritage on display at Hermitage
An exhibition of the archaeological treasures of Saudi Arabia has opened at St. Petersburg`s Hermitage Museum.
The history of the Middle East dates back to ancient times. Throughout its history this region has been a major center of world affairs and the crossroads between major traders. Priceless historical and cultural treasures reminding of those times have been carefully collected and sent traveling the world.
Almost 350 relics cover various periods of history starting from the Stone Age through to the foundation of the Saudi Kingdom, and reflect the development of culture in the region through hundreds and hundreds of years. Most of the exhibits have only been discovered by archeologists over the past three decades, however, they represent a mere drop in the ocean of the country`s heritage.
The display has already visited the Louvre in Paris and La Caixa Foundation museum in Barcelona, drawing a total of 200,000 visitors. After St. Petersburg the display will proceed to Berlin and Chicago.
Russian Culture Minister Aleksandr Avdeev and Saudi Arabian Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, have solemnly opened the display entitled "Arabian Routes - Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages".
"Saudi Arabia`s heritage has surprised the world, and the exhibition reflects the growing global interest in the Kingdom`s cultural dimension," Prince Sultan said at the opening.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a number of cultural events, including lectures on the kingdom`s heritage and culture, photography and documentary film exhibition and traditional dances from various parts of the state.
The State Hermitage will be housing the exhibition titled "Arabian Routes - Saudi Archeological Masterpieces through the Ages" until September 4.
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