- Contribution of artifacts in response to Mohammed bin Rashid’s call for participation in the ‘Let’s Preserve the Legacy’ Campaign
- Dubai Culture manages national campaign that seeks to preserve the UAE’s historical legacy for future generations
Dubai – The United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al-Quwain, has contributed a number of historical items that belonged to his great-grandfather the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al-Quwain at the time of the UAE’s Union. The contribution consists of the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid’s passport, pocket watch, dagger, official seal, and rare gold and silver coins issued by the Government of Umm Al-Quwain in 1970.
The contribution by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla comes in response to the invitation to support the ‘Lets Preserve the Legacy’ campaign by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inviting the community to contribute items to the Etihad Museum’s collections.
“We would like to praise His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s launch of the ‘Let’s Preserve the Legacy’ campaign to support the Etihad Museum’s collection. This important initiative stems from our belief in the important role of a museum in preserving the nation’s history and documenting historical and national documents, pictures, private collections and ultimately our heritage for future generations,” His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla said.
“The creation of the Union was of great significance to our country, and the Etihad Museum shall be an icon of our national advancement, of the legacy of our Founding Fathers headed by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the founding rulers who signed the Union agreement to build the nation, and of the great achievements that followed. The unity of the Emirates today is a source of pride for us all, and demonstrates the wisdom and will of our leadership that has mobilized us to our full potential while preserving the UAE’s authentic heritage and national identity,” His Highness added.
His Highness also applauded Dubai Culture’s efforts in managing and supervising the ‘Let’s Preserve the Legacy’ campaign. He further called on all members of the community, including citizens and residents, to contribute to this national initiative and to support the Etihad Museum’s mission in conserving historical collections and displaying them to citizens, residents and tourists.
The ‘Let’s Preserve the Legacy’ initiative is open to all members of the community. The initiative will accept contributions in the form of historical photos and other artefacts related to the Union of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Individuals and institutions can contribute their related collections by contacting Dubai Culture on (Etihad.museum@dubaiculture.ae) or by calling the following number (04-5155159).
Through a unique visitor journey, the Etihad Museum presents experience-driven exhibitions, interactive programmes and education initiatives that explore the chronology of events that culminated in the formation of the Union of the Emirates in 1971, with a key emphasis on the period between 1968 and 1974. Through interactive exhibits and learning programmes, the museum tells the story of the Union’s creation from the perspective of the country’s leaders. The experience also aims to educate visitors about the nation’s constitution, in particular the rights, privileges and responsibilities that it bestows upon the people of the UAE.
Dubai Culture’s responsibilities include managing and supervising Dubai’s museum and heritage sites, as well as preserving their historical and cultural significance. Furthermore, the Authority oversees the museums’ daily operations, in addition to the development of educational initiatives to enhance the learning experience. For this flagship UAE project, the Authority is responsible for the day-to-day management of the museum, development of educational programmes, and curation of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in order to drive the growth of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. The Authority has grown to play a major role in the realisation of the Dubai Plan 2021, to highlight Dubai as a thriving capital for creative industries and further embed the Emirate’s credentials as a city of happy, creative and empowered people.
As part of its mandate, Dubai Culture has several initiatives that are focused on strengthening both the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai, including Dubai Art Season – the city’s premier umbrella arts initiative which kicks off with Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and encompasses Art Week including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and SIKKA Art Fair, Middle East Film & Comic Con, SIKKA Art Fair – an annual event aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE and the wider GCC region, Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre – an annual festival that fosters the art of theatre in the UAE and that is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016, and Dubai Next – a dynamic platform that aims to showcase the Emirate’s cultural ethos and its vibrant creative scene on the global stage.
The Authority’s other key initiatives include Creatopia (creatopia.ae) – the nation’s first government empowered virtual community that guides and nurtures the creative culture of the nation and provides a platform of information and opportunities that lead to exposure and personal growth.
Dubai Culture also plays a leading role in support of the UAE National Strategy for Reading 2026, in particular by undertaking a major refurbishment of all Dubai Public Libraries branches to transform them into state-of-art cultural and artistic hubs. Across all of its branches, Dubai Public Library also provides children and young adults with a range of educational and entertaining activities that encourage the use of its facilities. The ‘Our Summer is Filled with Culture & Arts Programme’ is a Dubai Public Library initiative which complements the UAE National Reading Strategy, with its activities open to all age groups, and which revolve around four key themes: happiness, reading, family and the future.
The Authority also manages more than 17 heritage sites across the Emirate, and is a key government stakeholder in the development of the Dubai Historical District. As the custodian Authority of Dubai’s museum sector, Dubai Culture will officially launch Etihad Museum in December 2016. The museum will provide a platform to encourage cultural exchange and to connect Emirati youth with their culture and history. As part of the Authority’s mandate to support Dubai’s vision of becoming the focal point of diverse cultural exchange (regionally & globally), all of its museums will provide a catalyst to preserve Emirati Heritage.
