Iraq’s National Museum could reopen as early as next month. Keeper of the Middle East collections at the British Museum, John Curtis, who is in regular contact with the National Museum in Baghdad, said: “I think everybody welcomes this, and that the museum should open as soon as possible.”
But he added: “Everybody believes that security has improved, but there are still worries about suicide bombers. The main worry [for the museum] is explosions, rather than theft or looting.”
Amira Edan, the museum’s director, told The Art Newspaper last month that improvements to the 23 galleries were almost finished. The museum, which was badly looted during the 2003 Iraq War, has been open only briefly since the Gulf War in 1991.
Parts of the museum are currently open by appointment, but the hope is that a full reopening, allowing members of the public to walk in off the street, will be possible.
The US, through its Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, has provided about $8.5m towards upgrades to the museum, including the renovation of its conservation laboratories, storage facilities and electrical systems, as well as roof repairs, display cases, lighting, security systems and air-conditioning.
A spokesman at the US embassy in Baghdad said: “The Ministry of Culture, through the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, will determine when the museum will reopen. The government of Iraq is also responsible for security at the museum.”
Curtis said the British Museum would consider loans to Baghdad, as well as to Basra, where it is involved with the creation of a museum that will house objects from across southern Iraq. The museum is the first step towards establishing a cultural district that will also include a library and concert hall.
The Friends of Basra Museum was launched at the British Museum in December and is looking to raise £5m towards an opening in 2012.
But he added: “Everybody believes that security has improved, but there are still worries about suicide bombers. The main worry [for the museum] is explosions, rather than theft or looting.”
Amira Edan, the museum’s director, told The Art Newspaper last month that improvements to the 23 galleries were almost finished. The museum, which was badly looted during the 2003 Iraq War, has been open only briefly since the Gulf War in 1991.
Parts of the museum are currently open by appointment, but the hope is that a full reopening, allowing members of the public to walk in off the street, will be possible.
The US, through its Iraq Cultural Heritage Project, has provided about $8.5m towards upgrades to the museum, including the renovation of its conservation laboratories, storage facilities and electrical systems, as well as roof repairs, display cases, lighting, security systems and air-conditioning.
A spokesman at the US embassy in Baghdad said: “The Ministry of Culture, through the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, will determine when the museum will reopen. The government of Iraq is also responsible for security at the museum.”
Curtis said the British Museum would consider loans to Baghdad, as well as to Basra, where it is involved with the creation of a museum that will house objects from across southern Iraq. The museum is the first step towards establishing a cultural district that will also include a library and concert hall.
The Friends of Basra Museum was launched at the British Museum in December and is looking to raise £5m towards an opening in 2012.
