Visit Founders Memorial

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 09:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 18:30 (Abu Dhabi time)

CES: tbc

Event Description

This incredible and monumental public artwork features a three-dimensional portrait of Sheikh Zayed designed by artist Ralph Helmick. Housed in a 30-metre-high pavilion, The Constellation contains 1,327 geometric shapes suspended on 1,110 cables to create a series of evolving personal encounters with Sheikh Zayed’s image. By night, the suspended shapes shine like stars, a reminder of Sheikh Zayed’s role as a guiding light for the UAE and its people. This celestial display evokes the timelessness of Sheikh Zayed’s vision, which continues to guide the UAE along a path to progress and prosperity. The suspended shapes constitute five different types of regular, convex polyhedrons known as ‘platonic solids’, which are renowned for their mathematical beauty and symmetry. The Constellation is one of the largest art installations of its kind in the world and is unique in its use of abstract portraiture on this scale. This mesmerising piece can be viewed from multiple vantage points around the memorial.

Tour Cultural Foundation and Al Musallah

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 17:00 (Abu Dhabi time)

CES: tbc

Event Description

The political and social mission of the Cultural Foundation, as envisioned by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the budding United Arab Emirates’s aspiration for modernity was skilfully translated into the design by a thoughtful fusion of Modern and Islamic design principles and aesthetic details. Eager to reach out to the future while honoring the past, modernity and heritage were brought into harmony for a greater cause.

Tour Qasr al Hosn

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 07:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 16:00 (Abu Dhabi time)

CES: tbc

Event Description

Over the centuries, Qasr Al Hosn has been home to the ruling family, acted as the seat of government, housed the National Consultative Council founded by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE, as well as being a national archive. Today it stands as the nation's living memorial and a narrator of Abu Dhabi's history.

The oldest standing structure in Abu Dhabi, the picturesque Qasr Al Hosn is home to an original watchtower that makes for incredible photographs. Built around the 1790s, this commanding structure overlooked the coastal trade routes and protected the growing settlement established on the island. Qasr Al Hosn comprises two major iconic buildings: the Inner Fort (originally constructed in 1795) and the Outer Palace (1939-45). Transformed into a museum in 2018 following over a decade of intensive conservation and restoration work, Qasr Al Hosn is a national monument that encapsulates the development of Abu Dhabi from a settlement reliant on fishing and pearling in the 18th century, to a modern, global metropolis, displaying artefacts and archival materials dating back to as far as 6000BC.

Wahat Al Karama "Oasis of Dignity"

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 06:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 15:00 (Abu Dhabi time)

CES: tbc

Event Description

Spanning 46,000 square metres and located directly opposite Abu Dhabi's world-famous Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Wahat Al Karama is a timeless tribute that honours the Emirati martyrs who sacrificed their lives in service of their country. Wahat Al Karama is home to a permanent memorial commemorating the United Arab Emirates' heroes, including soldiers, police, diplomats and civilians, since 1971.

Tour Sheikh Zayed Mosque

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 04:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 13:30 (Abu Dhabi time)

Speakers

Sheikh Zayed Mosque guides

CES: tbc

Event Description

The impressive and inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques and the only one that captures the unique interactions between Islam and other world cultures. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the UAE, had a very specific vision for this mosque: to incorporate architectural styles from different Muslim civilisations and celebrate cultural diversity by creating a haven that is truly welcoming and inspirational in its foundation. The mosque’s architects were British, Italian and Emirati, with design ideas borrowed from parts of Turkey, Morocco, Pakistan and Egypt, among other Islamic countries. The end result is a breathtaking, gleaming architectural marvel.

Tour Louvre Abu Dhabi

When: Sunday 14 November 2021 @ 01:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 10:30 (Abu Dhabi time)

Speakers

Louvre Guides

CES: tbc

Event Description

The product of architect Jean Nouvel’s unique vision, Louvre Abu Dhabi was constructed as the heart of a new urban quarter for the United Arab Emirates’ capital city. A symphony in concrete, water and the subtle play of reflected light, its design was inspired by the region’s rich architectural traditions and the museum’s unique location at the point where the Arabian sky meets the sands of Saadiyat Island and the waters of the Arabian Gulf. Now considered as one of the modern urban wonders of the world, Louvre Abu Dhabi is not only the Arab world’s first universal museum but a powerful symbol of the United Arab Emirates’ ambition and achievement.

Following the tour at 12:00, we will have lunch at the Museum Café. Contemplate the sea and skyline from the Jean Nouvel-designed café and outside terrace, a relaxing dining experience that blends distinct Emirati and European flavours.

AIA Middle East Cocktail Reception

PLEASE NOTE DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE FOR THIS EVENT!

When: Thursday 11 November 2021 @ 10:30 (Eastern US Time)/ @ 19:30 (Dubai time)

Where: The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi, D94 - Dubai Marina - Dubai

Speaker:

Ishtiaque Zahir Titas, Vice President Region 4, UIA

Event Description

Join us for drinks and canapes at the The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.

Speaker Bio

Ishtiaque Zahir Titas, Vice President Region 4, UIA

Ishtiaque Zahir Titas, Hon. FAIA, is the Co-founder of VITTI, an architecture & urban design practice in Bangladesh. In the past 3 decades the practice has won national and international recognition for various projects. His interests include designing sustainability through participatory processes and designing public spaces. He believes that sustainability should be the core of all development works and architecture should focus more on research and innovation. He was the Chair of the ARCASIA Committee on Professional Practice. Presently he is the Vice President of IAB, the Vice President of UIA Region IV and Co-Director of UIA SDG Commission and Co chair of PCG Professionals, World Urban Campaign, an initiative of UN Habitat.

This event is made possible by the generous support of our sponsor, NORR.