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First ever Islamic Art Center opened at Louvre France.

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President François Hollande and Prince Alwaleed inaugurate new Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre

Saudi Arabia: Wednesday, September 19 - 2012 at 15:12

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His Excellency French President François Hollande, HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation-Global (Registered in Lebanon) HH Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel, Vice Chairwomen and Secretary General of Alwaleed Foundation inaugurated the new Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre in Paris in the presence of Mr. Henrie Loyrette, Director of the Louvre Museum and Ms. Aurélie Filippetti, Minister of Culture and Communications during a ceremony on Tuesday 18th September 2012.
Alwaleed Foundation donated $23m in 2005.

Upon Prince Alwaleed's arrival, His Highness was received by HE Dr. Mohammed bin Ismail Al Al-Sheikh, Saudi Ambassador to France. The ceremony began with a speech by President Hollande to the audience, after which the French President, Prince Alwaleed and Princess Ameerah toured the new Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre.

Prince Alwaleed commented, "Our support to establishing the New Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre is a reflection of our nation's active role in bridging the gap between various cultures and to foster mutual understanding under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques."

The creation of a new Department of Islamic Art within the Musée du Louvre represents a milestone in the history of the museum and former palace. An architectural, cultural, artistic, and civilizational offering, the new department invites visitors on a veritable sensory voyage of discovery into its Islamic collection. A hub of intercultural exchange, it reveals the radiant face of a civilization that encompassed an infinitely varied wealth of humanity.

The Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation - Global is the principle donor of the Islamic Arts Hall at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the most visited museum in the world. The Hall exhibits over 10,000 valuable Islamic art pieces - some never displayed anywhere else in the world. The exhibition is 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. These contemporary and innovative new spaces, are designed by international architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini.

The Alwaleed Foundation promotes this Hall as part of its ongoing effort to celebrate commonalities rather than differences. This historic gift to the Louvre is the largest made by the Foundation and represents its ongoing commitment to the preservation of Islamic heritage and the promotion of global cultural understanding.

Alwaleed Foundation's support is an extension to its role in global cultural understanding also through the establishment of six academic centers with study programs that encourage tolerance and mutual understanding, advance scholarship in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies, support opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation among religions and cultures and participate in the preservation of the Islamic literary and artistic heritage around the world.

The centers include, Harvard University, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, Georgetown University, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Edinburgh University, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, Cambridge University, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies, American University in Beirut, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Center for American Studies and Research and American University in Cairo, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Alsaud Center for American Studies and Research.

The ceremony was attended by VIPs Royals and Government officials that include: HE Mr. Ilham Heydar oglu Aliyev. President of President of Azerbaijan and First Lady, HE Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait, and HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Princess Meryem of Morocco HE Mr. Ahmed bin Nasser bin Hamed Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism, Sultanate of Oman.

The event was also attended by Prince Alwaleed's delegation that included: Ms. Heba Fatani, Senior Executive Manager, Corporate Communications Department, Dr. Nahla Nasser Alanbar, Private Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman, Mr. Husam Alsuliman, Executive Assistant to HRH the Chairman Ms. Hassna Alturki, Department Head, Travel & External Affairs, Mr. Hani Agha, Senior Manager, Travel & External Affairs, Ms. Eman Alhussien, Executive Manager, Intercultural Initiatives and Ms. Najla Tarabzouni, Manager Alwaleed Foundation Media.

Moreover, a press conference was held during the inauguration ceremony of the Department of Islamic Art, local and international media covered this historical event. Furthermore, Prince Alwaleed granted interviews to BBC, CNN and Reuters.

In 2008, Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prince Alwaleed laid the cornerstone of the new Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre in Paris in the presence of Princess Ameerah and Mr. Henrie Loyrette.

In May 2011, in response to an invitation from the former President Nicolas Sarkozy of France who presided the G8 Summit for 2011, Prince Alwaleed attended the e-G8 forum that was held the eve of the G8 Summit.

Prince Alwaleed's presence in France are also via His Highness's investments through Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) that is Chaired by Prince Alwaleed; topping the list of HRH's investments in France are the George V Hotel, and Euro Disney Paris. Furthermore, the Le Royal Monceau one of the top luxury hotels in Paris, owned by Qatar and was refurbished and opened in 2010 is managed by Raffles.

The Four Seasons Hotel George V was ranked Best City Hotel Worldwide in the 2012 Gallivanter's Guide for 10 consecutive years. Prince Alwaleed acquired the George V in 1996 for $178m. A two-year $125m comprehensive renovation was started in December 1997. The total cost of acquiring the hotel and renovation amounted to $303m, reflecting the Prince's dedication to restore the glory of this landmark.

In 2006, Prince Alwaleed was bestowed the medal of "Legion of Honor," with the rank of Commander by the former French President, Jacques Chirac during an official ceremony held at the Élysée Palace. The medal is the country's highest civilian honor, and it was bestowed to the Prince in recognition of his role in strengthening Saudi-French cultural, business and economic relations. In 2007, HRH was awarded the "Golden" medal by the French Minister of Culture and Communication.

President Franois Hollande and Prince Alwaleed inaugurate new Department of Islamic Art at the Louvre | Kingdom Holding Company | AMEinfo.com
 

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