Anticipation builds as Abu Dhabi memorial to Sheikh Zayed to be unveiled on Monday

Ceremony opening The Founder's Memorial on the Corniche will be broadcast from 9.30pm

The Zayed Memorial seen from Corniche Road. Reem Mohammed / The National

A memorial to honour Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, will be formally unveiled on Monday in what will be the culmination of years of preparation and planning.

The centrepiece of The Founder's Memorial on Abu Dhabi's Corniche is a monumental artwork dedicated to Sheikh Zayed.

The site also includes a heritage garden, while a welcome centre will feature archive footage and artefacts.

A live broadcast of the event will start at 9.30pm on the official Facebook page. It will also be carried by all major TV stations, Wam reported.

Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, general manager of The Founder's Office, said the memorial has been in the works for many years and required a huge effort to complete.

"It's a very interactive piece, a very interesting memorial site. It's a lot of hard work for us to collaborate with someone who will represent the leader, the Founder of the Nation," he said.

"It was very important that we had all the right people on the same table and the result hopefully will be revealed tomorrow."

Mr Al Mazrouei said the memorial has a wow factor and every aspect has meaning.

"Every single thing in the memorial has been studied, from the artwork, to the space, to the landscape," he said.

The 3.3 hectare site will offer "uniquely personal and immersive encounters with Sheikh Zayed ... to enrich their understanding of his character, values, legacy and interests".

2018 marks the Year of Zayed, and the site will house archive footage, personal stories and artefacts relating to the late president.

Situated at the intersection of First and Second streets, the site will also celebrate Sheikh Zayed's commitment to nature with a "heritage garden" of plants native to the Arabian peninsula.

The elevated walkway of The Founder’s Memorial will allow visitors to view the modern Abu Dhabi skyline – the result of Sheikh Zayed's leadership.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, named it The Founder's Memorial.

"[The name] Zayed is engraved with the letters made from light in the hearts of millions and has won the respect of the world for his wisdom," he said.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed said the Founding Father was a guiding star who laid the groundwork for the nation's advocacy of tolerance and co-existence.

"We are immensely proud of his visionary leadership and values that underscore his wisdom, as well as the groundwork he laid for our nation’s advocacy of tolerance and co-existence," the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs said.

"Through the establishment of The Founder’s Memorial, it is our intention to foster connections with our nation’s Founding Father among future generations of Emiratis and for posterity, and to highlight his perceptive leadership to the whole UAE population by providing a place of gathering for the community in which to reflect and celebrate."

For more information visit www.thefoundersmemorial.ae or follow @FounderMemorial on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.

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