UAE to create 'cultural encyclopedia'

Dubai: The UAE is to create a database of all Emirati intellectuals and artists.

The work will be collated and used as part of a national cultural encyclopedia which is being launched by the government.

The project, which will be sponsored by du, was announced by Abdurahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development.

The online encyclopedia will also contain the data of institutions who are interested in the UAE's cultural affairs and information regarding UAE libraries.

The ministry invited Emirati intellectuals and artists to support the project and document their creations, in order to ensure their work was given due recognition.

The Minster also asked them to take part in the interactive encyclopedia

Al Owais said: “The project supports the vision of the ministry and the countries need to promote, preserve and highlight national creativity, culture and heritage.

“It serves our aim to shed light on national talent and present their achievements and capabilities, as well as contribute to the image and reputation of the UAE to both Arab and western world''

The encyclopedia's website www.nce.gov.ae contains basic information (in Arabic) about the project and its plans to translate the database into English and other languages in the future.

Basma Younis, project leader from Minster of culture said: “This national project comes at a time when it is essential to document UAE's national heritage, culture and creativity and present it to academics and researchers from all over the world.''

Intellectuals who attended the conference also called for a project to film the heritage life of ancient UAE and documenting the memory of the old people before they forget or die.