Iconic Etihad Museum showcasing the birth of the UAE opens to public
By viji Sunday, 08 January 2017 11:40 AM
Described by HH Sheikh Mohammed as “an edifice that that will tell stories of our fathers”, the $163 million Etihad Museum is Dubai’s most recent tourist attraction and was inaugurated on the milestone occasion of the UAE’s 45th National Day, on December 2, 2016. It opened to the public yesterday January 7, 2017.
The iconic attraction relates the story of the nation’s Founding Fathers and the journey of the UAE to become a nation. Built over a two year period, its location under the 123-meter tall UAE flagpole at the site of the Union House or Dar Al Etihad on the junction of the Jumeirah Road and 2nd December Street is of particular significance. It is the exact point where Emirati leaders met 44 years ago, in 1971, and signed a declaration marking the formation of the United Arab Emirates.
The dynamic 21st century edifice, fusing the past and the future inspires Emiratis and international visitors alike and celebrates the dedication, commitment and patriotism of the UAE’s founders. It also educates visitors about the nation’s constitution, in particular the rights, privileges and responsibilities that it bestows upon the people of the UAE and is a definite, must-visit attraction.
Etihad Museum’s entrance is designed in the shape of a manuscript with seven columns that recall the pen used to sign the declaration. The unique Etihad Museum presents experience-driven exhibitions, interactive programmes and education initiatives managed by Dubai Culture, 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, relating the story from the perspective of the country’s leaders. Collections showcased here include objects and documents relating to the events of the formation of the UAE nation, contributing to an active research and publishing programme on the story of the Union.
The Etihad Museum is open daily from 10am to 8pm. General admission is AED25/.
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