Representing the Nation

Heritage, Museums, National Narratives, and Identity in the Arab Gulf States

Pamela Erskine-Loftus editor Mariam Al-Mulla editor Victoria Hightower editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:10th Jun '19

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Representing the Nation cover

The 1970s saw the emergence and subsequent proliferation across the Arabian Peninsula of ‘national museums’, institutions aimed at creating social cohesion and affiliation to the state within a disparate population. Representing the Nation examines the wide-ranging use of exhibitionary forms of national identity projection via consideration of their motivations, implications (current and future), possible historical backgrounds, official and unofficial meanings, and meanings for both the user/visitor and the multiple creators. The book responds to, due to the importance placed on tradition, heritage and national identity across all the states of the Peninsula, and the growth of re-imagined and new museums, the need for far greater discussion and research in these areas.

Professor Jane Bristol Rhys, Zayed University Abu Dhabi: The chapters and framework are the result of a conference last summer on the same topic. The editors have obviously selected what they think are the strongest contributors for this volume. Generally, I think that the coverage of topics is good – so overall opinion is good.


Representing the Nation is a timely and important collection of essays that, while considering the entire Gulf region, provide the contextualization necessary in order to understand how museums are being harnessed to recreate a past that is disconnected from younger generations; to reinforce present affluence and achievements; and, to represent new models of national identity. Covering the nation-building efforts of the 70s up to the contemporary, branded museums, particularly in Abu Dhabi and Doha, this volume is essential reading.

- Dr Jane Bristol-Rhys, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

ISBN: 9780367193089

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 331g

224 pages