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A History of the World in 100 Objects exhibition on till Aug 1

The workshops were complemented by two public lectures by the exhibition’s curator Becky Allen and Neil MacGregor, director of British Museum.

Want to travel? Both across the globe and back in time? And all this without stepping outside the UAE?

Then don’t miss the chance to visit “A History of the World in 100 Objects”, the exhibition presented by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) in collaboration with the British Museum.

Students being taught about one of the world’s most iconic objects at the exhibition. — Supplied photo

The third in a series of major public exhibitions before the Zayed National Museum opens, it showcases human relationship with objects and how history plays an important role in teaching us who we are and where we came from. Originally a BBC radio series, this is the first time it has become an actual exhibition, focusing on some of the world’s most compelling objects.

TCA Abu Dhabi created an extensive public programme supporting teaching through objects. It included 72 workshops attended by more than 4,000 participants of different ages who were taught the importance of objects throughout history and how they can shape the way we understand the world today.

The workshops were complemented by two public lectures by the exhibition’s curator Becky Allen and Neil MacGregor, director of British Museum.

TCA Abu Dhabi also organised an Artscape evening that celebrated the world’s shared history through live performances and interactive workshops. They ranged from a classical guqin performance, the guqin being a seven-string Chinese musical instrument like the zither, and a contemporary drums event.

Salama Al Shamsi, project manager, Zayed National Museum, said the exhibition bridges centuries and geographical borders.

“The popularity of A History of the World in 100 Objects has given us great insight into the kind of content that interests UAE audiences,” Al Shamsi said.

The exhibition closes on August 1.

When it opens, the Zayed National Museum will showcase similar themes to tell the UAE story. It will focus on the unification of the emirates and their transformation into a modern nation under Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The exhibits include art and artefacts from ancient and living cultures of the UAE, Arabia and the wider Middle East.

news@khaleejtimes.com