Latifa bint Mohammed reviews the progress of work in the Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project
DUBAI, 22nd February, 2018 (WAM) – Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, visited the Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, with the aim of preserving Dubai’s civilizational and cultural heritage and preserving its components for future generations, and ensuring that the fort continues to perform its role as a cultural beacon. Prominent, and an essential component of the local cultural scene.
During her visit, Her Highness was briefed on the progress of work and the most prominent developments of the Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project, the oldest existing building in Dubai, and the historical edifice that witnessed important stages of the emirate’s development, and one of its most important historical landmarks that formed an integral part of its memory. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” and his unique visions that established the emirate’s position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a forum for talent.
The Al Fahidi Fort rehabilitation project follows in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God rest his soul, in making the fort a beacon of culture, as its doors will be reopened again as a museum entering a new chapter of its journey, carrying the stories of the city, expressing the values that contributed to its formation, and calling for contemplation of what we choose to preserve, and what we carry with us as we move confidently towards the future.
The project comes within the framework of the authority’s responsibilities and efforts aimed at preserving Dubai’s historical landmarks, highlighting the rich cultural content of the museum, and preserving it as a living legacy that links future generations with their original culture, and contributes to consolidating the national identity in them.
During Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s field visit, in which she was accompanied by His Excellency Hilal Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, His Excellency Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture, and His Excellency Major General Khalifa Rashid Al Hameli, Director of the Office of His Highness the Minister of Defence, Her Highness was briefed on the latest developments in the project, and listened to an extensive explanation about The meticulous and innovative development and restoration work witnessed by the historic fort, and the museum facilities and exhibition halls it contains document its history, and the most prominent stages it has gone through since its construction in 1787 until today.
During this journey, the fort formed a vital space that combined the tasks of governance, judiciary and administration, and embraced under its roof multiple generations of rulers of the Emirate of Dubai who managed leadership affairs within its walls and made exceptional decisions that contributed to transforming Dubai into a unique model of thriving culturally and creative cities.
Her Highness stressed that Al Fahidi Fort is not just a prominent historical landmark, but rather the turning point from which Dubai’s modern journey began. She said: “The fort is a witness to a journey made by will and ambition… From among its ancient walls emerged the features of a city in which the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God have mercy on him, believed, who saw that big dreams stem from a firm and solid foundation and unwavering determination. So this fort became a symbol.” It is alive in the collective memory, and in its details is the story of a society that preserved its values and traditions, which gave it a special place in the conscience of the people of the Emirates, and Al Fahidi Fort will remain a living witness to our deep-rooted roots, and a starting point for the story that we continue to tell today.”
Her Highness added: “This historical edifice is one of the most prominent cultural attractions in Dubai, and an essential element within the cultural tourism system locally and globally, because it provides a rich cognitive and human experience that allows visitors to explore the details of life in the past, and learn about Dubai’s cultural heritage that contributed to shaping its contemporary features.”
The Al Fahidi Fort project, scheduled to open during the first half of this year, includes six main halls and exhibitions, containing a wide range of collectibles, archival images, and historical documents, which are displayed using advanced digital media and innovative audio-visual elements, in addition to three-dimensional interactive displays that tell the story of Al Fahidi Fort and its development over many decades, during which it formed an integral part of the daily life of the emirate’s residents, before it was transformed in 1971 into the first museum in Dubai, embracing its stories. Its heritage and authentic culture, and it was part of the life of the community, which established its position as a prominent landmark that embraces memory and identity, and enhances the sense of belonging.
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