The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage unveils plans for the Al Ain National Museum &Hili Archaeological Park
31st January 2012
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) has unveiled its plans for two key projects in Al Ain. The Al Ain National Museum (AANM) and Hili Archaeological Park (HAP) were both publicly announced by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council last week.
The AANM forms part of the Al Ain Oasis Cultural Quarter Master Plan and is located within the centre of downtown Al Ain within an Eastern Cultural Campus that is a flagship cultural quarter for Al Ain. It will celebrate the heritage and culture of the city – at the point where the city and nature meet at the edge of the Al Ain Oasis.
Hili Archaeological Park is an internationally significant archaeological site, comprising unique Bronze Age, Iron Age and Islamic remains. The project will protect and preserve the site and its archaeology, and create a centre of learning and discovery where visitors will engage with the history of the site, the early roots of the UAE, the lives of the people who inhabited this landscape, and how the work of archaeologists and the late Sheikh Zayed (May God Bless His Soul) uncovered Hili’s rich history.
The Chairman of ADACH, His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan stated:
"These are two very significant projects, that are drawing on the resources of this country’s heritage and protecting them.The Al Ain National Museum will provide the intellectual foundation of a Cultural Quarter. Hili Archaeological Park will enclose some of the most important Bronze and Iron Age tombs, settlements and falaj systems found in the United Arab Emirates.
“The World Heritage Site status that was awarded to Al Ain recently is further testament to Abu Dhabi continuing to be developed as one of the main international centres of culture by embracing and valuing its cultural diversityand making it an attractive visitors destination.
“The commitment that the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture &Heritage has in working to protect and promote the region is evident from the long term plans that have been laid out for initiatives such as these.”
H.E. Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage in the Court of His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director General of ADACH, said:
“These two landmark projects cultivate Cultural Heritage promotion and development which will be at the forefront of our plans. ADACH aims to diversify the economy and drive development in the emirate.
“Hili Archaeological Park, the surrounding landscape and the new Al Ain National Museum will be the focus of heritage learning, enjoyment and events for residents and visitors and will be the central place for understanding and engaging in the city’s rich past, vibrant present and exciting future. These developments will be gateways to the internationally significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Al Ain including the Oasis itself.”
Dr Sami el Masri, Deputy Director-General for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Director of Strategic Planning and Development at ADACH, said:
“The Al Ain National Museum project will revitalise thisinstitution in ADACH's Museum Department and be the anchor for the Eastern Cultural Campus. It will be an exemplary modern, urban, archaeology and cultural history museum. The museum will be the centre of the cultural life of the city – and a gateway to its many treasures and stories.
“The strategy of ADACH is to protect and maintain Abu Dhabi’s resources and ensure and reinforce the role of culture and heritage as both an important educational and cultural tool. ADACH is as much about the present and the future as it is about the past.
“ADACH’s manifesto and objective continues to be focused on ensuring that we are safeguarding the cultural heritage and identity of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates, projects such as these have been developed for the long term and meet these objectives.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Further information can be found at: www.adach.ae and http://www.adach.ae/en/news/unescoalainhumanheritage.aspx
2. For media interviews please contact: Eliza Ilyas +971 504 421 006 (English speaking press) Ayesha Al Suwaidi + 971 50 1815822 (Arabic speaking press)
3. Follow us on twitter: @QAH and facebook.com/ADACHCommunity
4. Abu Dhabi lies 140km to the West and Dubai lies 120km North West of Al Ain.