|
||||||||||||
Abu Dhabi Culture and Heritage Authority to preserve tangible cultural heritage |
||||||||||||
|
The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) is intensifying its efforts to conserve, protect, manage and develop the tangible cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi. This tangible heritage includes archaeological and cultural sites, historic buildings, archaeological collections and manuscripts. ADACH also strives to preserve and develop the Emirate’s intangible heritage. It aims to do this through integrating it into society’s daily life, encouraging the revival and practice of customs and traditions and supporting research and institutional collaborations. The Authority hopes that this will promote a better understanding of the culture and heritage of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the Arab world. Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Director General of ADACH, stressed that the Authority "devotes a great deal of effort to rehabilitate and revive historic sites in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These efforts are in line with the implementation of its five-year strategy which aims to make Abu Dhabi the cultural hub of the region and the world. ADACH also works to promote national culture and identity as a source of pride and inspiration for all." ADACH highlights the most important features of the UAE’s tangible heritage through a combination of its publications and its participation in international cultural events. ADACH also draws attention to the fact there are more than 1200 archaeological sites in the UAE dating back from 3000 BC to the late pre-Islamic era, as well as more than 100 historical buildings, some of which are 300 years old. These sites and buildings add to the tangible heritage of the UAE and afford the area a real wealth of information. There are also many displays of pictures of these important cultural areas. ADACH also shows a great interest in the restoration of old buildings which have been made of mud. Al Ain is a city that is well known for its vast array of brick buildings, forts, castles and palaces that are centuries old. There are many iconic buildings in Al Ain. One of these historic buildings is the Al Jahili Fort, which has been extensively renovated in line with international standards, as set out by UNESCO. Built in the late 19th century, the Fort is a cultural beacon for the region and serves as a venue for events such as the Abu Dhabi Classics concerts, which take place throughout the year. The Fort now houses a visitors information centre and a permanent exhibition devoted to the explorer and traveller Mubarak bin London (Wilfred Thesiger), who crossed the Empty Quarter twice in the 1940s. It also contains a space for occasional exhibitions and a shop selling books. Al Ain Museum, which was built by the late Sheikh Zayed, is the oldest museum in the UAE. Visitors can clearly see the features of pre-oil Emirati life, and the most important archaeological discoveries in the region, most of which date back to the Stone Age. ADACH continues its work with a number of similar initiatives that focus on the renovation of existing museums, such as Sheikh Zayed Palace Museum, and the development of museums on historical sites, such as the Al Muwjei Palace Museum. Al Ain’s rich heritage can be seen in its historical landmarks dating back to the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Hellenistic era, and pre- and post-Islamic era. Archaeological discoveries in Abu Dhabi date back from 2000 to 2500 BC. They represent interrelated parts of an ancient civilization known worldwide as the "Umm Al-Nar Civilization." Oil prospection helped discover ancient stone graves. Signs and proofs of the existence of settlements, graves and monuments of a civilization of inhabitants were unearthed. These inhabitants were skilled in melting copper and had strong business contacts with various parts of Asia. Skeletons have been discovered on Marwah Island. Research and experiments have shown that the skeletons belonged to people who settled in Abu Dhabi more than 7500 years ago. All of these works and discoveries fall under ADACH’s remit, according to Dr Sami el Masri, Deputy Director General of Arts, Culture and Heritage. ADACH has been trusted with a great mandate: to preserve heritage and promote the contemporary expression of the culture of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The Authority must ensure that the region’s rich cultural heritage stays alive and can be sustained in the future; that it never be forgotten or fade into obscurity. El Masri emphasized that the rapid pace of growth in Abu Dhabi and the UAE necessitated the existence of specialised institutions capable of preserving "our ancient heritage, without invading it with the winds of rapid change." "It is very easy for a culture to become lost if it is not properly preserved. If we are not aware of its value, if we do not make an effort to see that it is closely related to the current era and represents an important aspect of our daily lives and decision-making processes, we are in danger of losing it forever" noted Masri. He stressed that the renovation and development projects currently running in the museums, alongside projects which work to revive historical sites, will facilitate the enthusiastic support of the tourism sector. "Part of our goal is to achieve diversity and provide activities and experiences which highlight the numerous cultural sites existing in Abu Dhabi today. This does not just include visits to heritage sites, but makes sure that such visits are a vibrant experience that will encourage tourists to stay longer in the emirate," he added. |
||||||||||||
