Brussels, 26-04-2007

18 Virtual Exhibitions complemented by a 272-page illustrated book – both available in eight languages – were launched last week.

Ankara, Amman, Berlin, Cairo, Damascus, Lisbon, Madrid, Rome, Stockholm and Tunis were the venues for ceremonies in 10 of the 14 countries participating in the www.discoverislamicart.org Virtual Museum. Some 1500 personalities from the academic, cultural and political life, including 250 media representatives, attended the events organised by local partner museums in cooperation with relevant ministries.

More then 300 persons, communicating in nine languages, have been working for almost two years to complete this new offer of the MWNF Virtual Museum.

After the presentation of the Virtual Exhibitions and the book, visitors to all venues watched video greetings from Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for Foreign Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy. The official inauguration of the Virtual Exhibitions Discover Islamic Art in the Mediterranean by Her Royal Highness Princess Sumayyah of Jordan concluded the ceremony in all countries.