Concept of the Exhibition

Recently, Palmyra has been in the news because large parts of the ruins of this ancient city were deliberately destroyed by IS. But is this the first time Palmyra was destroyed or does history repeat itself?

In this exhibition visitors are challenged to think about the city of Palmyra, its importance and the connection between East and West. Not only the painting is used to start this discussion but visitors can also listen to three stories from different time periods. You can listen to a stories about Palmyra that are told by the wife of the Roman senator Dominicus, by the 17th century explorer and painter Gerard Hofstede van Essen and by the Syrian refugee and archaeologist Murhaf Alkurdi. Afterwards visitors are invited to share their own feelings, thoughts and ideas about city.

So sit back, look at the beautiful painting of ‘the ruins of Palmyra’ and listen to the stories about this ancient oasis in the desert. 

CONCEPT by: Muraf Alkurdi, Jankees Kuijs, Paola Mior, Natasja van der Heijden en Lola van der Wal.