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.

It is very important that the building is illuminated at night.

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.

3. Importance of the building in the future

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!