Piecing Together Identity: How Nations Narrate Their History and Culture

11:50 — 12:50 (May 23)
New Treryakov Kadashi
Plenary Hall

#heritage_preservation

Case Study Presentation

One of the defining sociocultural trends of recent years has been the growing demand among tourists and cultural institution visitors for localized and authentic content and experiences. In response, many nations are rethinking their cultural representation on the global stage — from developing national strategies aimed at promoting local culture to establishing and revitalizing cultural institutions across regions and countries.
Museums in the Middle East and Asia have emerged as powerful examples of building strong cultural brands in an era of interdisciplinary collaboration. They address the global trend toward localization while partnering with leading regional cultural institutions. In this context, museums are shaping the discourse on national cultural identity by creating "mosaic" exhibitions that weave together historical, social, and artistic elements to communicate each country’s unique cultural code.

• How are concepts for contemporary museums in the region developed and reinterpreted?
• What role do museums play in defining and promoting a country’s identity?
• How does language influence the interpretation of cultural identity in Middle Eastern countries?
• How can dialogue between tradition and modern audiences be constructed?

Moderator:
Alexander Sedov, Director, Museum of Oriental Art
Speakers:
Ekrem Aytar, Director, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art
Abdulla Mohammed Al Sulaiti, Deputy Director for Research and Collections, National Museum of Qatar (Qatar)
Zahra Hassan Abdul Khaliq, Director General of Museum Affairs, The National Museum of Oman
Simpildondovyn Chuluun, Director, National Museum of Genghis Khan (Mongolia)
Meretgeldi Charyev, Director, State Museum of Turkmenistan (Turkmenistan)