Abu Dhabi is once again pushing back the opening of local branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim art museums, after a fresh review of the projects, the government's tourism arm said on Wednesday.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi, a spin-off of the famous Paris museum, will now open in 2015 while Abu Dhabi's branch of New York's Guggenheim, will open in 2017, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) said in a statement.
The Zayed National Museum will open in 2016, the statement said. All the three museums were originally scheduled to open between 2013 and 2014.
Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, has plans to invest billions of dollars in tourism, infrastructure and industry to diversify its economy away from oil.
Across the oil-rich state, which accounts for more than half of the United Arab Emirates' economy, government-backed real estate, commercial and tourism projects, many conceived during the boom years of 2003-2008, are under review and in some cases being delayed or put on hold.
In October, the emirate delayed the opening of the Louvre and Guggenheim branches and the Zayed National Museum planned for the Saadiyat Island, a $27 billion project incorporating art, culture and resorts.
The Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the emirate's advisory body on Tuesday said it approved a raft of multi-billion dollar projects including the museums. It did not state the budgets or timelines.
"These institutions are strategic components of the Abu Dhabi Government's vision for the Emirate and this timeline has been finalized in close coordination with its partners and advisors, Agence France Museums, The British Museum, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation," the statement said.
Substantial work has already been completed on the museums. Detailed architectural designs have now been finalized, as well as all foundation and piling work, the statement added without giving details of costs.
Built by the Ottoman leader Youssef Dey, the Sidi Youssef mosque holds great importance for the Muslim sect known as ‘Hanefite’. This mosque was the first to represent this school of thought of Islamic practice in Tunis in 1616. With its construction new architectural doors also opened to the Tunisian Arabs since the mosque was the first to adopt an octagonal shape for its huge minarets. It is tod...
The Buenos Aires Zoo is also located in Palermo and is a good place to visit. Entry is ARS22 and it is open 10:00am to 6:00pm daily. Address: Corner of Av Sarmiento and Las Heras Telephone: 4011 9900 Website: http://www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar/ ...
This gallery is small and elegant. Whilst there isn’t such a great collection of art on exhibit here due to lack of space; this is a must stop for those visiting Cape Town. It allows for visitors to have a much more critical and generally a deeper understanding of South Africa’s history and culture and the evolution this country has undergone. Fighting sticks and traditional African beadwork in ad...
The museum usually displays works of artists who have a connection to Frankfurt or its history but other artists are also welcomed to present their collections. Tours for the place have to be arranged and are allowed for students and tourists. Timings: Tuesday- Friday: 12-7pm; Saturday and Sunday: 11-5 pm. Admission fees: 4 Euros for adults, 2 Euros for children. Address: Schaumainkai 8...