For many years, thePalestinian enclave of Gaza has suffered extensive damage, which has multiplied since October 2023, leading not only to massive loss of life but also to the destruction of its archaeological heritage. Since 2007, Geneva's Musée d'Art et d'Histoire has become the museum of refuge for a collection of over 500 works belonging to the Palestinian National Authority that have never been able to return to Gaza, some of which will be on display at theInstitut du Monde Arabe from March 11 to July 20, 2025.
80 of these priceless masterpieces, from the Franco-Palestinian excavations begun in 1995 and from private collections, will be presented to the public, in some cases for the first time, bearing witness to Gaza's past since the Bronze Age, through amphorae, statuettes, oil lamps and the Byzantine mosaic unveiled thanks to the excavation of an ecclesiastical complex in Jabaliyah.
In the past, Gaza 's location was home to numerous archaeological sites from all eras, now destroyed or endangered. In the past, it was praised for its gentle way of life and coveted for its strategic position in the Egyptian-Persian stakes, a port for the riches of the Orient, Arabia, Africa and the Mediterranean. A treasure that is in danger of disappearing, with Unesco noting that almost 70 cultural sites in Gaza have already disappeared or suffered damage, including the Greek Orthodox church of Saint-Porphyre.
The Arab World Institute's exhibition also tackles the issue of heritage in wartime, in a space dedicated to mapping the bombardments, recording the latest archaeological discoveries in Gaza, and showing previously unpublished photographs of the city from the early 20th century.
Dates and Opening Time
From March 11, 2025 to July 20, 2025
Location
Arab World Institute
1 Rue des Fossés Saint-Bernard
75005 Paris 5
Access
Metro Jussieu line 7, line 10
Prices
- 26 ans: €7
Tarif plein: €11
Official website
www.imarabe.org
