
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Exhibit: Animal Fables Teach Human Lessons
April 10, 2024 Middle East
The Louvre Abu Dhabi delves into the timeless world of animal fables with its new exhibition, "From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine," running until July 21st, 2024. This captivating display explores how stories featuring creatures great and small have served as mirrors to human nature for centuries.
A Journey Across Continents And Cultures
Through a collection of 133 objects on loan from the Bibliothèque nationale de France, visitors embark on a journey across continents and cultures. Delicate manuscripts, vibrant ceramics, and other artistic treasures bring these fables to life. The exhibition highlights themes like friendship, vanity, and revenge, offering moral lessons relevant to all ages.
"I use animals to teach men," said Jean de La Fontaine, the famed 17th-century French fabulist, whose works are featured prominently. "From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine" underscores the universality of these narratives, demonstrating their enduring power to transcend borders and generations.
Embodies The Spirit of The Louvre Abu Dhabi
"This exhibition embodies the spirit of the Louvre Abu Dhabi," remarked museum director Manuel Rabate. "It celebrates the concept of traveling stories. These fables originated in India, journeyed through the Arab world, and served as a bridge between East and West. They are a perfect fit for our institution."
The exhibition's curator, Annie Vernay-Nouri, emphasizes the Indian origins of these tales, tracing them back to the Panchatantra, a Sanskrit literary collection dating to 200 BCE. Visitors encounter classic fables like the two swans and the talkative turtle, where a moral lesson is conveyed through the turtle's unfortunate demise due to its inability to remain silent. Another story features a dog fixated on its reflection, ultimately losing its coveted bone meal in the river.
A Unique Exploration of Human Nature
The exhibition sheds light on the 8th-century translation of the Panchatantra into the Arabic world by Ibn al-Muqaffa, a pivotal figure in the history of these fables. His renowned adaptation, "Kalila wa Dimna," featuring two talking jackals, resonated deeply with Arabic, Persian, and Turkish audiences.
"From Kalila wa Dimna to La Fontaine" promises a unique exploration of human nature through the lens of animal fables. By showcasing the enduring legacy of these stories, the Louvre Abu Dhabi offers a captivating experience for visitors of all backgrounds.