A Crossroad of Cultures : So Old Yet So Modern

A Take From The Other Side

Literally.

After many months, we finally visited our happy place again -- the Children's Library at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. We have explored this part of the city a couple of times before. The place is always allow us to explore two sides of Abu Dhabi - it's traditional culture preserved through these walls, and a taste of modern living as well.

We alighted at the eastern side of the Foundation, the one facing Zayed the First Street. There are many dates palm trees that line this side, providing a much needed shelter from the scorching desert summer heat. There are concrete benches underneath the trees for anyone who would like to rest and take refuge under the shade.

We did not, however, but instead, my excited children went on inside. We are happy to find that the fountain at this side is working. Hearing the water splashing and the occasional sprinkle of water blown by the wind our way somehow eases the extreme heat that we are experiencing in the middle of the day.

Reaching Out To The Future

The Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation was created under the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan to nurture the country's heritage and arts.

It is amazing to see that through the UAE's aspiration for modernity, a lot of their cultural heritage has been preserved. This building of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation is but one example. They have managed to reach out to the future without losing grasp of their past.

There is a fusion of Modern and Islamic designs that focus not only on the function and geometry of the building to cater to its elements - - Learning (Library), Performance (Auditorium), and Visual Arts (Exhibition hall, rooms and open spaces).

Behind these glass windows is the Children's Library -- which if you have seen in my previous posts, you will see how modern it is. Outside though, you will see traditional Islamic designs of intricate mosaics.

I could not, despite my children's tugging, excited to go inside the Library, pass on taking this photo below. Inside the arch is a view of the Etisalat Headquarters with its iconic golf ball on top of it.

The Mars Colony?

Finally, we went inside the Cultural Foundation Building and to our intended destination, the Children's Library. And what do we find?

How about this model of a Mars colony? This one has been designed by children, being the architects of tomorrow, to represent their ideas and imaginations of how the first step on Mars would look like.

New Installations

It was almost sundown and we need to leave. We exited at the opposite side of the building, the one facing the World Trade Centre, Abu Dhabi. Ahh, I just love that hint of gold touching the glass facade of the buildings at this time.

We noticed this new (for us, at least) installation in the middle of the promedade. This stainless steel installation is a work of art of an Emirati jewellery artist, Azzra Al Qubaisi. She is also often referred to as the "first Emirati jewellery artist".

This artwork, titled Ha'a, 2021 has the dimensions 3.5 x 4 x 3 m.

"This artwork is inspired by the journey of exploring Arabic alphabets through simple lines, with the aim of building a better connection with the language for the younger generation."

"This piece is a reflection on how the Cultural Foundation has been there for the masses and the creatives in the community, from the beginning of their lives until today."

It is very refreshing to be able to go out and explore once again. The Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundations is just one of the many places in the City that has managed to capture the present, grasp for the future, while holding on to the past. We are looking forward to more such trips soon as the institutions open up. More exploring and more learning for us, which we hope to share with the rest of you here on the block. 😉

Location:
CULTURAL FOUNDATION,
SHEIKH RASHID BIN SAEED AL MAKTOUM STREET.
AL HOSN – ABU DHABI

More Information:
https://culturalfoundation.ae/en/

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_{All Photos are owned by the author.}