UAE | Government
Theatres, opera house and cultural institutes to adorn banks of Dubai Creek
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday launched the 'Khor Dubai' Cultural Project, which aims to transform the banks of Dubai Creek into the cultural hub of the city.
- Staff Report
- Published: 13:41 March 26, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
- Zuha Hadid's spectacular opera house will be part of the Khor Dubai project
Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday launched the 'Khor Dubai' Cultural Project, which aims to transform the banks of Dubai Creek into the cultural hub of the city.
The ambitious 20 kilometre project was announced at the Shaikh Saeed Al Maktoum house in Al Shindagha by Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, head of the Culture and Arts Authority, in the presence of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Prince Agha Khan, head of the Ismaili sect.
"The initiative will draw its roots from our heritage and history and embrace our present to build the future, taking our country to new horizons of prosperity and development to further gain international standards," said Shaikh Majid.
Khor Dubai will include 72 new cultural icons that will be added to the other attractions of the creeks: the old souqs in Deira and Bur Dubai, the dockyard and the abra. Ten thematic museums will be created on the banks of the creek, starting from the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) Museum that was announced recently, museums of culture, heritage and contemporary arts and science.
Nine public libraries will also be set up, dedicated to poetry, music and literature. The project will also include thirteen theatres, an opera house, galleries, cultural and artistic institutes, besides workshops for local and foreign artists as well as residents.
In line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, the project comes fifty years after the extension of the creek by the late ruler of Dubai Shaikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum in 1958. The project will create "a unique area that will combine the past and the present to lay down the foundations for the future, merging the cultures of the world with icons of literature, art and creativity," said Shaikh Majid.
The project is expected to extend from Al Shindagha area to Business Bay on the banks of the creek, which will see the participation of the public and private sector and the communities that live around the creek.
"With Your Highness' remarkable vision, you have continued to build significant projects around the Creek and doubled its length to re-ignite its vibrant ambience, with the Business Bay, The Lagoons and Burj Dubai.
"As your new initiative, the 'Khor Dubai' cultural project will make the creek the most comprehensive cultural destination in the world, where trade and tradition will prosper alongside each other," Shaikh Majid said.
Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said: "The project will make the creek the most comprehensive cultural destination in the world, reflecting Dubai's status as a multicultural city."
"Dubai Culture and Arts Authority will work closely with all stakeholders, including private sector developers; major corporations; culture and art entities; government entities; and, communities living around Khor Dubai to see this project is implemented successfully," he said.
The launch of the cultural project comes in the wake of the decree issued by Shaikh Mohammad establishing Dubai's Culture and Arts Authority. The authority has been mandated to help create a new model for the future of culture and arts in the world by fusing Dubai's strong Emirati heritage with its large, diverse expatriate culture.
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