The road to Palmyra
de Anne Marie Nielsen, Rubina Raja
The first special exhibition in Denmark devoted to the culture of ancient Palmyra? an oasis city located in present-day Syria.00In a time when globalisation, migration and cultural conflict permeate the agenda in many places in the modern world, Palmyra has again attracted attention with its fascinating history as one of the ancient world?s multicultural societies.00It was located at the Efqa Spring in the Syrian Desert halfway between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean. The oasis city was a natural nodal point between trade and caravan routes. And a centre for the exchange of both goods and cultures between East and West; at the same time the city was the easternmost bastion of the Roman Empire. With this background it became a vibrant meeting point for various cultures. Many caravans travelled through the city. They brought silk from China; cotton, spices, jewellery and dyestuffs from India; ivory from Africa; myrrh and incense from Arabia and wine, metals and glass from the West. It is also in Palmyra that we encounter the story of the legendary queen, Zenobia.00This exhibition takes the Glyptotek?s unparalleled collection of ancient tomb sculptures from the city as its point of departure. The more than 100 portraits included in the exhibition are supplemented by sculptures and other items from the Roman Empire, photographs from the 19th century, paintings and much more, together creating a broad presentation of Palmyra?s special history in an exhibition designed by the renowned Danish designer and scenographer Anne Schnettler in collaboration with graphic designer Nanna Arnfred.00Exhibition: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, Denmark (20.09.2019 - 01.03.2020).
