Smithsonian collaborated with the Alula project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia amid the growing cultural aspirations
The Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Arts (NMAA) signed a partnership agreement with the Royal Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Alula, which expands calm but strategic cooperation that was behind the scenes for two years.
According to Art newspaperThe deal, which was signed this week by the NMAA director Chis Robinson and CEO of RCU, Abeer Akl, defines joint efforts in archaeological research, exhibition loans, and standard exchange.
At the heart of the partnership, there is Dalan – in the capital of fibrous civilizations and Danit, and a critical stop on the incense road, an ancient commercial network that spanned India to the Mediterranean Sea. The Saudi government gave the priority to preserving Dadan as part of its pushing to rename the Kingdom as a global cultural destination.
“Our technical teams have already worked with Alula on research on recently discovered statues,” Robinson said in a statement. “This next stage will allow us to deepen this work and build long -term professional networks.”
The agreement extends three categories: joint memorization and research in archeology, art and history; Exhibition layout and artifact loans; Professional development in areas such as technical research and museum management.
The deal is the latest in a series of cultural partnerships that formed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with institutions all over the world – including the Bombido Center, the Andy Warhol Museum, UNESCO, and Dipati X Biennial – as part of the 2030 Economic Diversification Plan. While these efforts helped the ALULA position as an emerging hot point, it also attracted criticism as a form of “Artwing”, As a way to transform attention from the country’s human rights record, including the killing of journalist Jamal Khashogi.
Smithsonian-Alla comes a few days after the Trump administration Declare From the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to invest $ 600 billion in the United States, including the huge arms deal: $ 142 million, it will provide the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “modern war equipment and services from more than ten American defense companies.”
