It is a story that has captivated for a century. Tutankhamun’s tomb, and the astonishing objects that were buried alongside the boy-king to accompany him in the afterlife, have travelled the world, enticing audiences at every turn.
In the 1970s, a King Tut exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art attracted more than a million visitors. It is, to this day, the museum's most highly attended show. And the allure has not waned over the decades. When Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharoah made a stop in Paris earlier this year, it attracted 1.4 million visitors, becoming the most popular exhibition in France's history.
Now the treasures are on their way home, embarking on one final world tour before returning to Cairo to be permanently homed in the much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, which is scheduled to open in 2020. But first, a pit-stop in London.
Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharoah opened today at London's Saatchi gallery, where it will stay until May 3, 2020. There are more than 150 authentic pieces from the tomb on show - three times as many as have travelled for previous exhibitions. More than 60 of these items are travelling outside of Egypt for the first time.
These include a wooden ceremonial shield, linen gloves and a life-size statue of the king that stood guard at the entrance of his last resting place. The king’s most famous artefacts – the famed gold death mask and three gold coffins – are not on show as they are prohibited from leaving the country by Egyptian law.
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Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
