Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a private institution, engaged in promoting various types and forms of art, culture, charity and education in Lisbon, Portugal. This cultural center is named after its benefactor, Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkein, who was a petrol magnate of Armenian origin. The center has made huge contributions in the music scenario of Portugal, by training composers and singers of extraordinary caliber.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has many offices all over Europe with its headquarters in Lisbon, the Portugal capital city. The large premises of the headquarter opened its doors in the year 1969. Various administrative offices and departments of the foundation are located in the huge premise. A large auditorium, a congress area consisting of several rooms and auditoriums, as well the interesting Calouste Gulbekein Museum and the art library is located in this cultural complex.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is one of the major attractions of Lisbon, where hundreds of visitors come to see the vast collection of ceramics paintings and sculptures which have been imported from various parts of the world. Considered as one of the best, the museum houses an impressive collection of art work from countries like Egypt, Greece, Rome and Europe.
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Visitors come to see the golden Egyptian mummy mask in this museum. Among the exhibits, the museum also showcases a series of personal collection of Calouste Gulbenkein. He had willed all these personal belongings to the museum when he stayed in Lisbon from 1942 to 1955, till he died.
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon was designed by Ribeiro Telles and the whole complex was built in the Gulbenkian Park. The Modern Art Center was set up in 1983 is located at the end of the park. It consists of an education center and a museum, displaying artifacts from different parts of the world. Art works of both old and contemporary artists are featured in this center. The science institute of Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation known as Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia. This institute is located in a multi building complex on the outskirts of Lisbon. It is very near to the Marquis of Pombal palace.
Since its establishment, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon has been trying to promote various forms of music, dance and fine arts. From time to time the foundation also organizes dance and ballet shows. The aim of this foundation is to preserve the essence of Portuguese culture so that it can be passed on to the future generations, in its original form.
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