The Founder’s Memorial, a permanent national tribute commemorating the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was inaugurated in an official ceremony, Al Bayan newspaper reported.
UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan unveiled the milestone.
افتتاح #صرح_زايد_المؤسس#الإمارات_اليوم #عام_زايد pic.twitter.com/NUJLfmuiDu
— الإمارات اليوم (@emaratalyoum) February 26, 2018
افتتاح #صرح_زايد_المؤسس#الإمارات_اليوم #عام_زايد pic.twitter.com/BIQSjKWBoL
— الإمارات اليوم (@emaratalyoum) February 26, 2018
Bahrain Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa was among the dignitaries attending the inauguration.
The centrepiece of The Founder's Memorial on Abu Dhabi's Corniche is a monumental artwork dedicated to Shaikh Zayed.
The site also includes a heritage garden, while a welcome centre will feature archive footage and artefacts.
The 3.3 hectare site which marks the Year of Zayed 2018 houses archive footage and artefacts, personal stories and artefacts relating to the late president.
Situated at the intersection of First and Second streets, the site also celebrates Shaikh Zayed's commitment to nature with a "heritage garden" of plants native to the Arabian Peninsula.