Paris exhibit celebrates UNESCO heritage site of Palmyra
PARIS — Days after the Islamic State group seized back control of the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra, a prescient exhibit was inaugurated in Paris on Tuesday that aims to educate the public on the wounded wonder that Syrians affectionately call the “Bride of the Desert.”
Its organizers said the display opening Wednesday is designed to be an “emotional” experience that takes visitors to Palmyra and other endangered world heritage sites in the Middle East. It’s also meant to show how much of the Syrian site’s heritage so far has been spared.
The exhibit at the Grand Palais plunges visitors into a three-dimensional, 360-degree projection using never-before-seen images of Palmyra. They were taken by a drone in April days after the city was liberated from Islamic State group fighters.
But just as the exhibit opens, the threat to the city it honours is ratcheting up.