Announcing the Opening of the Exhibition: 50 Years of Shared History. Celebrating United Arab Emirates – France friendship
6 November, 2024The exhibition will be held at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Library from November 6 to December 8 .
The National Library and Archives of the UAE, the Institut Français in the UAE and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi are honoured to announce the opening of the exhibition “50 Years of Shared History, Celebrating United Arab Emirates – France friendship”, a significant celebration of the half-century of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and France. This exhibition will be hosted at the Sorbonne Univeristy Abu Dhabi Library from November 6 to December 8 2024.
The opening ceremony scheduled for November, 6 2024 at 10:30am will feature an official visit and ceremony attended by esteemed officials from the UAE and France including: H.E. Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE, Chancellor of the UAEU, H.E. Abdallah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives of the UAE, H.E. Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France in the UAE and Prof. Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. Following the opening ceremony, a symposium will convene with expert speakers who will elaborate on the themes of the exhibition, discussing the importance of archival preservation and the rich history of Franco-Emirati cooperation.
The exhibition aims to illuminate the multifaceted cooperation that has blossomed between the UAE and France across various sectors, including politics, culture, education, military, as well as emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, space, and sustainable development. Drawing on the rich archives of both countries, this event invites visitors to explore the key milestones that have shaped the enduring friendship between the two nations.
H.E Abdulla Majed Al Ali , Director General of the National Library and Archives emphasised that “The National Library and Archives extends its warmest congratulations to the French Embassy on the 50th anniversary of its establishment, and wishes the constructive friendship and fruitful cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and the French Republic – which has become an ideal model – to continue to develop and progress under the leadership of the two countries for the benefit of both sides and the two friendly peoples. The National Library and Archives, by organizing a documentary exhibition to celebrate this occasion, emphasizes the importance of French culture, and looks forward to further cooperation with the distinguished French academic and archival institutions.”
The importance of archives as living testaments to our collective memory was underscored at the International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress held in Abu Dhabi in October 2023. This exhibition featured contributions from French and Emirati archives, showcasing materials from the National Library and Archives of the UAE, as well as significant documents from the French diplomatic archives in La Courneuve and Nantes, alongside private and public archives from notable institutions such as TotalEnergies, Dassault, Aéroports de Paris, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
H.E. Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France in the UAE highlighted that “Together with our Emirati friends we are proud of 50 years of continuous and successful cooperation, which have led to exceptional milestones like Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, among many others. We are not only building on past achievements but are also preparing the future together. From culture to education, from defence to space, from clean energy to smart cities, from agritech to artificial intelligence, the bonds forged between our two nations are outstanding and continue to flourish. This incredible archive exhibition illuminates our shared endeavors as well as the deeply rooted ties between the leaders of our two countries since the foundation of the UAE. As Victor Hugo noted, “The future is a door; the past is the key.”
Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: This exhibition, which showcases collections from both Emirati and French archives, bears witness to our shared history. Thanks to the close collaboration of everyone involved – the National Library and Archives of the UAE, the French Embassy in the Emirates, as well as the holdings of numerous local private and public players and researchers – we have the opportunity to rediscover the key moments that have forged the deep friendship between France and the Emirates since 1974. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is the fruit and illustration of this sincere friendship, which has endured over time. These precious testimonies illustrate not only our past, but also the solid foundations on which we are building the future.”
In addition to celebrating the past, this exhibition lays the groundwork for establishing a Franco-Emirati Archive Center at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, aimed at preserving the shared history between the UAE and France for future generations. It also seeks to engage public and private entities in the importance of safeguarding their contributions within the UAE.
Join us in celebrating this landmark exhibition that honors our rich and intricate history and sets the stage for continued collaboration in the years to come.