Dubai: Etihad Museum, which chronicles the events of the declaration of the Union in 1971, will open its doors to the public on January 7, 2017.
The museum, which was inaugurated on December 2 during the UAE’s 45th National Day, is currently open to senior officials and VIP delegations only.
Dubai Culture made the announcement on Wednesday, adding that the public will be able to visit every day of the week between 10am-8pm.
WATCH: A live tour of the recently opened Etihad Museum in Dubai, which tells the story of how the UAE came to be.
Saeed Al Naboudah, acting director-general of Dubai Culture, said, “This landmark heritage initiative is an important manifestation of the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create an important national UAE cultural and tourist landmark.”
The museum’s opening was attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Members of the Federal Supreme Council.
Educational exhibits and programmes that show the chronological events of the agreement signing and Union declaration in 1971 will be showcased at the museum.
Live tour of the Etihad Museum: The museum's Chief Executive, Khalid Al Saaidi, shows us the highlights.
Al Naboudah said the museum will offer the public a valuable opportunity to discover year-round the events before, during and after the Union agreement’s signing in 1971.
“In doing so, the museum will enhance visitor understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities bestowed upon the nation’s citizens through the UAE constitution,” he said.
Pictures: Etihad Museum opens its doors to the public
The museum complex extends across the Union House building, a 123-metre flagpole, a parking building with a 100-car capacity, with an additional 100 outdoor parking spots.
Etihad Museum’s new permanent pavilion is inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns which emulate the pens used to sign the 1971 Union agreement, while the museum’s identity is inspired from the colours of the UAE flag, the Union’s identity and the seven emirates.
