Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 18 / Trend /
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva and French President Francois Hollande have today attended the opening of Islamic art exhibition halls at Louvre Museum in Paris.
The Head of State and his spouse were welcomed by French President Francois Hollande.
Addressing the event, General Director of the Louvre Museum Henri Loyrette said France attached great importance to preserving all cultures, including Islamic art. He noted the Museum played an important role in building intercultural dialogue.
The President of France said he was proud of the establishment of Islamic art exhibition halls at Louvre Museum. Francois Hollande thanked the Azerbaijani leader and other partners for their assistance in implementing this project."They are friends of France. I hope this goodwill will continue in the future".
Then they viewed Islamic art exhibition halls at Louvre Museum.
They were informed that Islamic Art represents the work, ideas and inspiration of a world culture which dates back to ancient times. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world and houses one of the biggest and most comprehensive collections of Islamic art and artifacts in the world. Until recently, however, only approximately 10% of the 10,000 pieces held here could be displayed to the public.
Housed in their impressive new home, this greatly-prized collection of historical pieces are expected to be studied by all enthusiasts of Islamic Art. Through this groundbreaking addition to its existing public works, the Louvre will become an outstanding world platform where the grandeur and beauty of Islam`s ancient culture can be celebrated in its full glory.
The exhibition will be housed in a striking gallery space, two-thirds of which was constructed underground, within in the Cour Visconti, a large courtyard within the Louvre grounds.
More than 10,000 diverse pieces ranging from the 7th to 19th century will be on display in the Louvre`s new Islamic Art galleries, including glasswork, ceramics, Ottoman Empire art and one of the world`s most important collections of carpets.
Once completed and open to the public, this unprecedented project will provide a suitably inspiring home to a truly exceptional Islamic Art collection, recognized as one of the richest and most diverse world-wide. Then, President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva posed for photographs.
Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre-is one of the world`s largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, France, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (district). Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited over an area of 60,600 square meters. The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings.
