UK Science Museum Group announces expansion into Saudi Arabia
The UK Science Museum Group announced plans for a new location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to the group, the newly revealed “museum hub” will allow museum officials and curators to “work closely with museum professionals, researchers and educators in Saudi Arabia.” The Riyadh has no launch date yet, given that the agreement was only signed last week.
The deal was signed by Ian Blatchford, the chief executive and director of the Science Museum Group, and Rakan Altouq, Assistant Minister of Culture in Saudi Arabia.
A statement made on behalf of the group said, “The partnership builds on a cultural memorandum of understanding signed by the [former] DCMS Secretary of State [Nadine Dorries] with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2022.”
The memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 was designed to strengthen cultural links between the two countries. Nadine Dorries, who was the UK Culture Secretary at the time, participated in signing the document in the Jax District, an outskirt of Riyadh.
The agreement to build the Science Museum hub is the latest attempt for the country to continue rebranding itself away from extreme conservatism. Most notably, they have invested significantly in sports, attracting internationally renowned footballers such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr to the Saudi Premier League and hosting boxing events. Meanwhile, Metallica recently played the first metal concert in Saudi.
Blatchford said, “We take decisions about international partnerships with considerable care because some of the countries in which we work are not democracies, with human rights frameworks far below the standards we cherish.”
He continued, “Internationalism is second nature for the Science Museum Group, both because of the power of cultural engagement and because collaboration between different nations has always been essential to addressing global challenges. Our clear view is that there is huge potential to support positive change and reform for people in Saudi Arabia by building science engagement amongst citizens and growing a strong, sustainable museums sector.”
The Science Museum Group comprises various faculties, including the Science Museum in London, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, the National Railway Museum in York and Locomotion in Shildon.
