Receiving a French delegation from key cultural institutions
New Areas of Cooperation between a French Delegation and the National Library and Archives
His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, met with Hervé Barbaret, Director General of the French Museums, to explore potential cooperation between the two sides. They discussed means of enhancing communication, cooperation and coordination with the French institutions affiliated with museums, archives and libraries.
The National Library and Archives -at its headquarters- received Hervé Barbaret and the accompanying the French delegation. They were briefed on the pivotal role of the NLA in the current stage and its high expectations for the future. Barbaret emphasized the potentialities of their institution to serve as a bridge between the NLA and the French cultural institutions in the fields of museums, archives and libraries.
His Excellency, the Director General of the NLA, welcomed the collaboration with the French cultural institutions, emphasizing their role in fostering the exchange of successful and unique experiences and expertise, as well as enriching the NLA’s effort in building and enhancing knowledge societies.
His Excellency demonstrated the most important strategic projects of the NLA and opportunities for cooperation with French cultural institutions. His Excellency elaborated on various aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries, such as the Louvre Museum, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and other major projects and initiatives, which strengthened the bilateral ties between France and UAE. His Excellency affirmed that such projects hold promise for successful mutual cooperation between the NLA and French cultural institutions.
Additionally, His Excellency invited the French delegation to visit the National Library and Archives’ Center for preservation and Restoration. In the center, the delegation will be briefed on the preservation, restoration, and digitization methods, and will observe the institution’s efforts in preserving the memory of the nation according to the highest standards. The delegation will also witness the modern restoration laboratory’s work on various types of historical documents.
The two parties initially agreed to coordinate mutual virtual and in-person training programs aimed at strengthening ties between the NLA and the French cultural institutions in the same field. The two sides reached an agreement to organize a specialized library-training course next year, involving a member of the team from the National Library in France. This initiative, which benefits from the French expertise, aims to enhance the UAE’s National Library project, aspiring to establish it as a cultural institution comparable to leading national libraries worldwide.