A selection of the world's most renowned architects have been invited to participate in a design competition to conceptualise a unique museum planned for Saadiyat Island - the natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi City.
The museum is just one of a number planned for the island's Cultural District and which combined will make up the world's largest concentration of cultural landmarks in one place at one time.
But what will set the Sheikh Zayed Museum apart will be its concentration on the culture of the United Arab Emirates.
Paying Tribute to the Father of the Nation
The Sheikh Zayed Museum planned for Saadiyat Island will honour the late Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - a man who played a leading role in the formation of the United Arab Emirates' Federation and who has become affectionately known throughout the country as 'The Father of The Nation.'
"This will be a museum of international standing which honours the late Sheikh Zayed and provides an enduring memorial to the world, inspiring visitors to take up the call to personal leadership and responsibility as exemplified by Sheikh Zayed and his work," explained HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the company charged with transforming Saadiyat into an international cultural icon and a world recognized tourism destination.
"We are developing this museum in line with the guidance and vision of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Given the importance of this institution and its central location within the Cultural District, it was decided to reach out to established international, Arab and local architects to obtain the most inspiring design that appropriately crystallises this vision. The objectives of the competition will be to increase awareness of the project locally and internationally."
The museum, which will span 130,000 square feet and feature five galleries - all themed to recognise an individual aspect of Sheikh Zayed's life's work - an education centre, theatre, shops and a café with a visitor services area.
A museum could perhaps be the greatest form of tribute for a man who strongly believed that everyone should be in touch with their heritage.
"Those who do not know and appreciate their past, will never fully understand where they stand today," said Sheikh Zayed. "Only by learning about their history can people begin to face the challenges of modern life while preparing for what lies ahead."
The five galleries will be individually devoted to UAE Heritage, the Environment, The Transformation of the Emirates, Unity Through Leadership and Education, as well as to the late ruler's legendary devotion to the universal ideals of Humanitarianism and Tolerance.
Heritage was selected because of Sheikh Zayed's full commitment to his nation's past traditions and experiences
"Our forefathers have left us a rich cultural heritage that is truly worthy of our highest esteem and pride." Sheikh Zayed said. "We must preserve this heritage and further build on it so that it remains the soul of our nation and the driving force for its future generations".
Environment was a natural theme in paying tribute to Sheikh Zayed, "For five decades Sheikh Zayed advocated and adopted the concept of what we know today as sustainable development," explained HE Sheikh Sultan. "He was in many ways a man before his time."
Sheikh Zayed's environmental achievements, embodied in overseeing the transformation of Al Ain into 'The Garden City of the Gulf' and of Abu Dhabi into 'The Gulf's Green Capital' combined with his efforts to preserve indigenous wildlife earned him a string of accolades. These included a gold medal from the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organisation, an environmental conservation decoration from the President of Pakistan - the first time that country bestowed such an accolade on a head of state - and the 'Golden Panda' award from the Worldwide Fund for Nature - the fund's highest conservation award and the first conferred on a head of state.
'The Transformation of the Emirates' gallery will trace the fascinating history of the UAE - from a group of small Arabian Sheikhdoms - into a vibrant and unified nation. It will track the emergence of the Emirates from a poor, barren landscape into a modern society, showing how its oil revenues were wisely used for the balanced development of its society
It was a transformation overseen by Sheikh Zayed who was determined his nation would enjoy the fruits of its oil wealth.
"Our people have endured many hardships in the past and were long deprived of proper services and infrastructure," he said. "It is time we provided that which they missed for so long so that they can enjoy at last the blessings that the Almighty has bestowed upon us."
Sheikh Zayed's ability to inspire will be commemorated in the 'Unity Through Leadership' gallery. Here the late Ruler's ability to bring together people whose views were often at odds with each other will be demonstrated throughout the period leading up to the formation of the UAE.
"Our federation plans were driven in the first place by our sincere desire to strengthen the blood ties that bind us, by our conviction that we all belong to one family, and that we must unite together under one leadership." Sheikh Zayed said. "We did not have any past experience in federative political structures. Nevertheless, our geographic proximity to one another and the close blood ties that linked us made us aware of the absolute need to establish a federation, one that would compensate our people for the fragmentation and disunity that prevailed earlier amongst us".
Upon the establishment of the Federation, the first President set down the government's priorities - education headed the list.
"The government's highest priority is the development of its people and the welfare of its citizens throughout the state. The nation's material wealth is of little use if not supported by an equally empowered population, one that can provide the highly proficient and qualified cadres needed to build our country," said Sheikh Zayed.
This message will underline the theme of the Education Gallery.
"The museum will have widespread appeal," said Sheikh Sultan. "Not only amongst UAE nationals, but all residents and overseas visitors who want to learn more about this country and its people in the past, the present and the future."
"The jury will provide a transparent selection process resulting in a design concept of exceptional quality," explained Sheikh Sultan. "The design criteria will be fine-tuned to honour the memory of Sheikh Zayed through an architectural legacy which also maximizes environmental efficiency and sustainability."
The Sheikh Zayed Museum will be an additional asset in the proposed Saadiyat Island's Cultural District which will also include the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary art museum, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Universal Museum, a Performing Arts Centre, a Maritime Museum and a Biennale Park with 19 pavilions devoted to culture and the arts. Four of the world's most eminent architects - Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel and Tadao Ando - have created the concepts behind what was aptly described in the international media as the most dramatic cultural statement ever conceived.
An exhibition on Saadiyat Island's Cultural District and its museum and arts centre concepts is currently running at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The museum is open to the public from 10am until 10pm daily.
-Ends-
For further information:
Bassem Terkawi. PR & Events Manager
TDIC
Tel: +9712 4443000;
fax: +9712 4443111.
Email: bterkawi@tdic.ae
For further information:
Barbara Saunders, MCS/Action.
Tel: +9714 390 2960
fax: +9714 390 8161
Email: barbara.s@actionprgroup.com
Or log on to: www.tdic.ae
© Press Release 2007
