The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 have jointly unveiled a “Special Olympics Garden” in the emirate. The new permanent garden at Manarat Al Saadiyat includes six commissioned public artworks which have been especially designed by international artists for Abu Dhabi Art to commemorate the Games.
The unveiling of the garden was held today (21 March) at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The initiative was led by Abu Dhabi Art in collaboration with the local organising committee for the Special Olympics World Games. A Selection Committee comprised of key stakeholders took part in awarding the final commissions from the proposals submitted through Abu Dhabi Art. This comes on the back of a partnership between DCT Abu Dhabi and Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, which was signed in April last year, to commission permanent public artworks for the city created by globally recognised artists.
The event was attended by HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, and Tim Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics, HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, Rita Aoun-Abdo, Executive Director, Culture Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi and Dyala Nusseibeh, Abu Dhabi Art Director. Attendees included high-level officials from DCT Abu Dhabi and the Special Olympics, who toured the exhibition along with key international stakeholders and partners, as well as a group of players participating at the Games.
“In this, the Year of Tolerance, we are honoured to support and partner with the Special Olympics World Games to further promote the values of inclusion and acceptance in our society. The artworks in this new Sculpture Garden have been specially commissioned to represent these values, and it means so much to unveil them in the presence of these inspiring athletes,” said HE Al Mubarak. “We take great pride in furthering the empowering vision of our Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, which encompasses respect, unity and fostering a sense of belonging for all.”
He continued, “The appreciation of art is not limited to major artists and museums; there are expressions of art produced by those around us. This includes the people of determination, who have demonstrated their sense of art and grace through their hard work, their sports prowess and their inspiring overcoming of obstacles. This garden is for them, representative of what brings us together as human beings.”
Tala Al Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer, Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 said: “Our aim is for the World Games to act as a catalyst for change, raising awareness of what people of determination can achieve and changing perceptions in society. It is vital that the legacy of the Games lives on long after the sports competitions have ended, ensuring inclusion and unity becomes a feature of everybody’s day to day lives.
“These public artworks will be a permanent reminder of the importance of the Special Olympics message, ensuring generations to come benefit from the legacy of hosting these global Games in the Middle East for the very first time.”
The Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 included more than 7,500 athletes competing in 24 officially sanctioned Olympic-style sports joined by more than 3,000 coaches representing more than 190 countries. It is the largest single event held in the United Arab Emirates and the first Special Olympics World Games in the Middle East and North Africa region.
