Record numbers flock to Dead Sea Scrolls at Canadian Museum of Civilization
Gatineau, Quebec, March 25, 2004 - The Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) is reporting a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors and attributing it to the extraordinary success of the exhibition Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Interest is so strong that the Museum is taking the unusual step of extending exhibition hours over the Easter weekend, the last chance to see this unique display.
"People have recognized that this exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some of the most rare and significant objects from biblical times, including three of the first scrolls discovered," said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. "Many visitors seem to be in awe, and I have noted their particular interest in a tiny silver amulet engraved with the world’s oldest biblical text in existence - a prayer that holds great meaning for many people."
The Museum’s lecture series, Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls, has been an unprecedented success. Each of the eight lectures by renowned biblical scholars and Scroll experts had to be delivered a second time the same evening to accommodate the hundreds of people lining up for seats in the 500-seat CMC Theatre.
The exceptional crowds are also visiting other special exhibitions such as Presenza: A New Look at Italian-Canadian Heritage and Across Time and Tundra: The Inuvialuit of the Canadian Arctic, as well as the permanent First Peoples Hall and Canada Hall, perennial favourites. The CMC is the largest and most-visited museum in Canada.
HOURS EXTENDED FOR EXHIBITION’S LAST WEEKEND - APRIL 8 TO 12
Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls will be on display until April 12, 2004. The exhibition will stay open every day from Thursday, April 8 through to Monday, April 12 until 9:00 p.m. Extended hours apply to this exhibition only.
Public Information Line: (819) 776-7000 or 1-800-555-5621
The exhibition was organized by the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière and in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Artifacts on loan from the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and the Library and Archives of Canada. Exhibition produced in Canada by Pointe-à-Callière in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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