The Faras Gallery is home to Europe’s largest display of cultural artefacts and artworks from the Christian period in Lower Nubia. These works now reside in the National Museum in Warsaw thanks to the efforts of Polish archaeologists who took part in the massive UNESCO-led international campaign to preserve the remnants of cultures once occupying the Nile River Valley south of the First Cataract. Archaeological research in the area of the ancient city of Faras, near the present-day Sudanese-Egyptian border, unearthed the well-preserved ruins of an 8th century cathedral whose walls were adorned with religious-themed paintings created in the 8th to 14th centuries. Today, more than 60 of the paintings reside in the National Museum in Warsaw alongside other fascinating artefacts from Faras, making up the largest and most valuable collection of archaeological artefacts from foreign excavation sites thus far acquired by a Polish museum. In the autumn of 2014, the Faras Gallery will be re-opened to the public in an all-new configuration. A room designed to resemble the Faras cathedral interior will present the wall paintings in a way that reflects their original placement, with the sound of authentic Coptic liturgical chanting heightening the experience for visitors. In a dedicated space, with special consideration for handicapped patrons, multimedia presentations will allow viewers to learn about Christian Nubia’s history and architecture, the Faras wall paintings and their compelling iconography. Visitors will also enjoy a 3D video reconstruction of the cathedral interior with all of the wall paintings shown in their original locations, including those residing today in the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum. Further supplementing the exhibition will be a selection of archaeological films and archival photography. The Opening of the Faras Gallery is under UNESCO’s honorary patronage. The Nubian Campaign has become a strong symbol of UNESCO’s successful efforts to mobilize joint, high-profile international action for the protection of humanity’s common heritage. This Campaign led to the adoption of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention in 1972 (Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO).
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 08:19:47 +0000