Muhammad Al-Sharqi witnesses a lecture entitled "Living Memory: How do human experiences contribute to shaping the narrative of museums?"
Fujairah, June 3, 2017 – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, stressed the role of cultural and knowledge institutions in establishing community awareness, preserving national identity, and supporting initiatives that contribute to connecting people to their history and human experience.
This came during His Highness’s presence in his council session entitled “Living Memory: How do human experiences contribute to shaping the narrative of museums?” In cooperation with the Zayed National Museum, which was presented by Dr. Peter Magee, Director of the Zayed National Museum, Dr. Michelle Ziolkowski, a researcher specializing in antiquities and cultural heritage, and Hessa Al Falasi from the “Faces of Fujairah” initiative.
His Highness pointed to the interest and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, for knowledge initiatives that contribute to enhancing cultural awareness, consolidating national values, and supporting efforts aimed at enabling institutions to preserve national memory and enhance communication between generations.
The session discussed the renewed role of museums in constructing cultural narratives, by moving beyond the traditional concept of cultural institutions as places for preserving collections, to living spaces that contribute to documenting human experiences, and linking the material artifact with what gives it depth and meaning.
Dr. Peter Magee reviewed the session’s experience at the Zayed National Museum in building a cultural narrative based on national history and community memory, highlighting the integration between tangible and intangible heritage, and the role of cultural institutions in stimulating collective memory, enhancing communication between generations, and preserving knowledge through testimonies and human experiences.
A number of archaeological objects displayed in the Zayed National Museum, which were found in the Emirate of Fujairah, were highlighted, and the historical and humanitarian narratives they contain related to the place, in addition to the “Faces of Fujairah” project as a community model for documenting the human impact on the place and ancient societies.
Dr. Michelle Ziolkowski explained the importance of archaeological research in documenting the history of the region and understanding the transformations of societies, while Dr. Peter Magee pointed out that modern cultural institutions have become platforms for reformulating narratives and linking them to the present.
Hessa Al Falasi emphasized that contemporary cultural projects contribute to reintroducing heritage with a modern vision that combines knowledge, art and identity, and enhances the presence of local memory in community life through documentary and creative initiatives.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Naieh Al Tunaiji, Director of the Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi Council, stressed the Council’s role and objectives in spreading cultural awareness of the efforts of the state and its national institutions in support of identity, culture and heritage.
The session was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of His Highness the Crown Prince of Fujairah, and a number of officials and interested parties.
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