Guided Search: Museum/Exhibition, Middle East

Nimrud. Aleppo. Palmyra. Ebla. These ancient sites and many others in Iraq and Syria have found their way to the top of international news today, as the destruction of cultural heritage becomes both a by-product and a tactic of ongoing war.

Join the Penn Museum and representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as we cut the “Gordion knot” for the official public opening of this world premiere exhibition. Transport yourself to magical Turkey in a special gallery bazaar decorated by Material Culture just for the opening weekend. Turkish music, exhibition talks, tours, and crafts for kids and families round out the day. The celebration is free with admission to the Museum and special exhibition.

Exclusive World Premiere Exhibition Explores Famous Ruler and his Times, Opens February 13, 2016 at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.

 In honor of the first visit by Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, the Penn Museum, in conjunction with the Penn Libraries, offers Sacred Writings: Extraordinary Texts of the Biblical World, a special exhibition of rare artifacts from the Museum Collection and rare books and manuscripts from the Penn Libraries.

THE SECRET TRIO is a mesmerizing new band with established musicians that play authentically Turkish and Mediterranean music. It features kanun virtuoso TAMER PINARBASI, world-renowned composer/oud master ARA DINKJIAN, and clarinet prodigy ISMAIL LUMANOVSKI.

On Fridays evenings, the Great Stair Hall is transformed into a intimate cabaret for Art after 5 performances. Starr Events serves up fun sharable snacks and light supper options, as well as cocktails, wine and beer to compliment the live entertainment.

A 2,000 year old mosaic, discovered in Lod, Israel, in 1996, will be exhibited in the Penn Museum as its final US destination. The mosaic, believed to have been commissioned by a Roman official around 300 CE, is one of the best-preserved ever found. It was discovered in 1996 during highway construction in Lod, and excavated fully in 2009 in three panels, which will be on display at the Penn Museum.