25 years after the opening of the Arab World Institute, this complete reboot of their permanent collection – giving an overview of the twenty-two Arab countries that cofounded the institution together with France – was inaugurated today.Organised by theme rather than chronologically, the museum takes a look at the Arab wold’s culture, religion and anthropology, as well as studying how it sees itself through the eyes of contemporary artists. The aim is to show diversity rather than be an exhaustive presentation (which would be a mammoth task).

The museum contains loans from other museums in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Amman, Tunis, Kairouan et Manama, plus pieces from the Louvre, the quai Branly museum, the BNF (French National Library), the IREMAM (Institute for research and studies of the Arab and Muslim world), private collections and churches and convents in Syria and Lebanon.

The non-chronological set-up is there to remind us that it is not only the Arab world’s past that merits interest, and that this culture is still very much alive.The new museum at the Arab World Institute (here) is open every day except Mondays from 10am – 6pm

Last tickets 45 minutes before closing

Also closed 28th April, 1st May and public holidays

Admission: 6€ / 4€

Official site: www.imarabe.org

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