VISION of the Building of the National Library of the United Arab Emirates proposed by Professor, Dr. Kaspars Klavins
Aug 17, 2015
VISION of the Building of the National Library of the United Arab Emirates
proposed by Professor, Dr. Kaspars Klavins
1. Introduction
• The United Arab Emirates National Library (founded in
1981) is vitally in need of an original building that
would be designed in line with the traditions of Arab
and Islamic culture and that would take an important
place among other landmarks of this country that are
world-famous.
• The library building would largely improve the
international prestige of the UAE. The existence of
not only the National Library but also a presentable
building is an integral part of the nation’s culture.
• The name of the building could be the Hill of Wisdom
(Bayt al-Hikma). Let the Emirates Hill of Wisdom
become the sequel of the House of Wisdom (Arabic:
!Bayt al-Hikma) of the ancient Baghdad ;بيت الحكمة
The building could be a place for the UAE Academy of Sciences. The House of Wisdom, which existed in Baghdad
from the 9th to 13th centuries, was the first Academy of Sciences in the world. Today, unfortunately, despite the
achievements, the Emirates do not have their own Academy of Sciences, contrary to many other countries...
The new UAE Academy of Sciences could be named
Royal Academy of Sciences of the United Arab Emirates, and the most appropriate place for it
would be the building of the National Library – the new Hill of Wisdom.
2. Basis of the concept of the building
The name of the building could be the Hill of Wisdom بيت الحكمة (Bayt al-Hikma)
The building is spiritually symbolical, making one to sense the completeness of the universe given by Allah.
It is essential that the building should magically blend with the environment in the same way that the past blends with the present.
The building of the National Library, that represents a sand hill, created by the wind, matches the desert landscape of the United Arab
Emirates. At the same time, such concept stresses the superiority and beauty of the god-created nature over any formation created and
constructed by the man. Like a cave in the rock it hides treasures: hidden treasury of intellectual resources.
Since the library should stand for the unity of the country, all tones of sand, characteristic to the Emirates, may be worked into the building as a confirmation of identity.
The sand hill symbolises the closeness of the Arab ancestors – ancient Bedouins – with the nature and the deep knowledge of all aspects of nature that in their unity represent the explanation of the world created by
Allah. This corresponds to the UAE strategy of developing nature-friendly knowledge and technologies. Therefore the latest environmentally friendly technologies should be used for the construction of the
building (for example, the nano-crystal smart glass or the unique technology of Nanoconcrete).
http://www.inovacijas.rtu.lv/sites/default/files/dokumenti/Katalogs%20web.pdf
http://www.inovacijas.rtu.lv/sites/default/files/dokumenti/Katalogs%20web.pdf
Wisdom emerges as if from a multitude of
wisdom sand grains that are brought
together, and the library’s appeal should be –
donation of private book and manuscript
collections for the needs of this one huge
library that is available to residents, students
and scientists.
The two columns at the entrance door symbolise the Emerald Tablet
(Tabula Smaragdina). According to an Arab legend they are emerald
columns from the Pyramid of Cheops, bearing inscriptions of the words
of wisdom. The knowledge symbolised by the Emerald Tablet in the
Arab tradition comes from the prophet Idrīs, who journeyed to Saturn in
order to bring to earth the science of the heavens. At the same time,
from the point of view of Islam this means that the wisdom
concentrated in the library is not only a human form of knowledge, but
a science revealed to the prophet Idrīs, regarding which it is stated in
the Holy Qur’an in verse 19: 56-57: “Mention, in the Book, Idrīs, that he
was truthful, a prophet. We took him up to a high place”.
The motif of Idrīs (Hermes Trismegistus) is also important from the
intercultural perspective, taking into account its former popularity in Europe
(and in the West in general). It became known to Europeans in the Middle
Ages only due to the Arab composition, after the translation of which into
Latin Emerald Tablet was perceived as the symbol of the deepest wisdom in
the West.
Emerald Tablet has been depicted differently in Europe (as an engraving on a
rock, etc.). The image of this rock could be used in the design of the central
hall of the
library.
The parameters of the building depend on its
location and how it blends with the landscape,
therefore they may change in different
circumstances. The location is of utter importance
for this project and everything else depends
exactly on it.
- The building must be ready for the
World Expo 2020.
- Currently this is only a vision.
- A special working group will be necessary within the
scope of the new project. As a result, complete
information could be obtained regarding the best
construction materials, technical solutions and
planning issues for the building.
1) The library may become one of the symbols of unity of the
entire United Arab Emirates and promote the unity of the
country. At the same time, the library would provide a deeper
insight in the Arab (and the Emirates) culture for foreign
students and specialists.
2) Library should also work as an exhibition centre,
presenting a concentrated collection of all scientific,
technological and art achievements of the United Arab
Emirates. Also the internationally famous Emirate
Book Fairs could be held here.
3) As a national value, it might become a peculiar
Emirates brand that would be represented on
postcards, commemoration coins, etc. and also
attract attention of tourists. As a result of a good
positioning within the landscape the library building
could become a bright landmark of Abu Dhabi
panorama.
4) The many universities and their branches that
have been recently founded in the United Arab
Emirates need a single common scientific
research centre that they all would use
depending on their special areas.
5) The library could be also a scientific research
institute where cultural heritage is surveyed and
studied, foreign scientists and experts are
invited, conferences and literary evenings, as
well as discussions with writers and artists etc.
are organised.
6) The building could also house the Information
Centre for Promotion of the Values of the Arab
Culture. There is a need for a global coordination centre
to confute the myths and stereotypes created all over the
world in regard to the Middle East history and Arab
culture. The Emirates could undertake the leading role in
this regard due to their technological, scientific and
financial resources.
7) At the same time the building could be a place for the Royal Academy of Sciences of the United
Arab Emirates. This institution would include certain fields of research which are unique in the
Emirates, thus creating its own tradition of national science. the United Arab Emirates
could be the right place for the first national Academy of Sciences of a Gulf
Region Arab country.
Let the Emirates Hill of Wisdom
become the sequel of the House of
Wisdom (Arabic: بيت الحكمة; Bayt al-
Hikma) of the ancient Baghdad!