متحف الإتحاد | |
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 The museum in 2017 | |
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Former name | Union House |
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| Established | 2 December 2016 |
| Location | 1 Jumeira Road,Dubai,United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | 25°14′N55°16′E / 25.23°N 55.26°E /25.23; 55.26 |
| Type | History museum |
| Architect | Moriyama and Teshima Architects |
| Website | etihadmuseum |
TheEtihad Museum (Arabic:متحف الاتحاد), historically called theUnion House (Arabic:دار الاتحاد) and formerly as theal-Diyafah Palace and theJumeirah Guesthouse,[1] is a museum inDubai,United Arab Emirates that collects, preserves, and displays the heritage of theUnited Arab Emirates in the areas of social, political, cultural, scientific, and military history. It holds everything from old passports to personal artifacts of the rulers of United Arab Emirates.[2] The historic signing of theConstitution of the United Arab Emirates, the raising of the firstUAE flag, and the formation of the United Arab Emirates as a country on 2 December 1971 took place within the area that forms the museum today. The museum is designed as a document to signify the signing of the UAE constitution.
The Union House is one of three 'union sites' in the Emirates, locations which are celebrated as having played a crucial role in the foundation of the nation.[3] The other two union sites areArgoub Al Sedirah, the location whereSheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan andSheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum discussed and shook hands on the idea of a Union of Arab Emirates and Al Khawaneej Farm where a number of key meetings between Trucial Rulers prior to the Union took place,[4]
The museum encompasses the Union house, the location where the emirate's founding fathers signed a declaration that marked the formation of the UAE in 1971 – it is now part of the museum complex.[5]
The museum was designed byMoriyama & Teshima Architects in the shape of amanuscript, with seven columns built into the museum to resemble the pens used to sign the original declaration. The building has eight permanent pavilions:[6]
Pavilion One: Shows a documentary film about the history of the UAE.
Pavilion Two: Houses a panoramic interactive map highlighting the era before the formation of the federation.
Pavilion Three: An interactive timeline that demonstrates key historical events before the union.
Pavilion Four: An interactive guide to the formation of the union.
Pavilion Five: A homage to the important moments and challenges confronted the founding fathers before 1971.
Pavilion Six: This is dedicated to theUAE Constitution and includes the actual declaration itself.
Pavilion Seven: The final pavilion is an open gallery celebrating the newborn nation.