Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
In alignment with the UAE's "Year of Community" campaign and efforts to enhance national identity, the National Library and Archives launched an interactive community project, called X71, at a press conference held at its headquarters this week.
X71 focuses on fostering unity in the communities, celebrating cultural diversity, as well as empowering youth through investment in their talent.
Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, explained that the initiative aims to engage society by creating 71 innovative works which will be exhibited both in-venue and virtually.
The project, which this year showcases traditional jewellery and adornment, seeks to promote a sense of national pride, develop talent and innovation.
As a strategic partner, Abdulla Al Humaidan, Secretary General at Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, said that the project lays a foundation for building community coherence and providing avenues for creativity for people of determination.
The Assistant Undersecretary for Professional Development Sector at the Ministry of Education, Sulaiman Al Kaabi, reiterated the ministry's endorsement of the initiative and the importance of cementing national values and incorporating student participation.
The project also goes hand in hand with the national identity enhancement initiative of the UAE, according to Asma Al Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Creatives Development at the Ministry of Culture.
Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, emphasised the focus on preserving Emirati heritage.
And Dr. Husniya Al Ali, Education Advisor at the National Archives and Library, highlighted the project's role in promoting sustainability and accelerating national development towards 2071.
She noted the importance of strategic partnerships and explained the thematic content of the project, such as women's and men's adornment, the decoration of camels, horses and birds, and the decoration of heritage houses.
This project expands across fields such as visual arts, photography, digital arts, music, embroidery, collage, poetry and literature.
Dr. Al Ali outlined the various stages of the project: launch, training and knowledge support, submission of works, judging and honouring, and the art exhibition featuring the 71's works.
The exhibition will be mobile, travelling between the National Archives and Library and strategic partner locations to enable widespread access and benefit.
Dr. Al Ali told Aletihad: "We launched the X71 project, which focuses on 'Jewellery and Adornment' as part of the 'Year of Community' initiative. The project, in collaboration with strategic partners such as the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, invites creatives to submit works related to national themes such as women's adornment, men's adornment, camel adornment, horse and camel adornment."
She added: "The project aims to display 71 selected pieces and honour 10 works at the end of the year. The archive provides cultural and historical resources to participants to help them understand the importance of these traditions before starting to implement their works. The project is also open to all creatives, promoting a spirit of tolerance and cultural exchange, and seeking to present Emirati culture to the world through art."
She said the project combines technology and digital media to enhance the artistic dimension, in order to ensure sustainability for future initiatives.
Explaining the Ministry of Culture's strategic direction with the project, Al Hammadi said: "The strategic direction is reinforcing national identity, promoting cultural heritage, empowering and encouraging the arts and culture sector, and supporting the creative economy agenda."
"We are collaborating with the Ministry of Education on the national framework for Emirati cultural activities in schools, which focuses on activities related to national heritage and identity. This is closely tied to this initiative, as we aim to foster creativity in students.
"Also, our centres are open to creative individuals across all fields, and we are fully committed to preserving national heritage."
