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🛒 تسوق الآنLibya Heritage Exhibition Opens at Arab World Institute in Paris
Libya Heritage Exhibition Opens at Arab World Institute in Paris
The exhibition "Libya: Rediscovered Heritage" has officially opened at the Arab World Institute (IMA) in Paris, marking the first-ever exhibition dedicated entirely to Libya hosted by the prestigious institution. Running from May 13 to October 20, 2026, the event celebrates fifty years of French-Libyan archaeological cooperation and offers visitors an unprecedented journey through Libya's rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Main Facts and Key Details
The exhibition is organized through collaboration between the French Archaeological Mission in Libya (MAFL), supervised by curator and researcher Vincent Michel, alongside the French Embassy in Libya, the French Institute in Libya, and the Libyan Department of Antiquities. It showcases a carefully curated selection of photographs, scientific documents, films, and artifacts — many displayed publicly for the first time — that trace Libya's history from prehistoric times through the medieval era.
The exhibition covers research conducted since the late 1960s, with joint French-Libyan teams working across the entire Libyan territory — from the edges of the Sahara Desert to the Mediterranean coast. Sites featured include the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna, the Greek ruins of Apollonia (some now submerged underwater), the desert fortifications of Bu Njem, and the archaeological treasures of Cyrene (Shhat). The display also includes underwater archaeological explorations off the coast of Apollonia, where parts of the ancient city have been swallowed by the sea.
Reactions and Context
The opening ceremony brought together diplomats, academics, and cultural officials from both Libya and France. French Ambassador to Libya Thierry Vallat attended, alongside an official Libyan delegation led by Mohamed Fallos, Director of the Department of Antiquities, and representatives from UNESCO. The French Institute in Libya also hosted an associated international study day under the auspices of the Centre for Research on Ancient Libya (CERLA), with the patronage of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, gathering archaeologists, historians, and heritage specialists from Libya, France, and across Europe.
Curator Vincent Michel described the event as an opportunity to highlight Libya's unique historical identity and strengthen international awareness of its cultural significance. The exhibition aims to draw attention to a heritage that remains largely unknown on the international stage despite its extraordinary richness and the grave threats it faces.
Challenges and Future Outlook
The exhibition dedicates a significant section to the ongoing threats facing Libya's cultural heritage. Since 2011, political instability has led to escalating looting of archaeological sites and illicit trafficking of artifacts. The display highlights joint efforts by the Libyan Ministry of Culture, local authorities, and international law enforcement agencies to track stolen and missing antiquities, document damaged sites, and work toward recovering looted objects. Entry is free for visitors under the age of 26, a move designed to encourage younger generations — both Libyan and international — to engage with Libya's deep cultural and human history. The exhibition is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors over its five-month run.
Organizers hope the Paris exhibition will serve as a catalyst for broader international recognition of Libya's endangered heritage and renew momentum for global cooperation in preserving one of the Mediterranean's most significant — yet vulnerable — archaeological landscapes.
