Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has contracted state-owned company on social housing, Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC), to transform Usgekolhu into an immersive museum.
The agreement pertaining to the project was signed by Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer on behalf of the Ministry and Managing Director Hamdhan Shakeel on behalf of FDC.
Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage contracts Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) to transform Usgekolhu into an immersive museum. (Photo/Ministry)
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister Adam Naseer said the transformation Usgekolhu will introduce Maldivians to a new landscape of heritage the people of Maldives has never seen before. In this regard, he detailed that state-of-the-art technology will be utilized to showcase the tireless efforts that protected the origin of the Maldivian civilization, the Maldivian state and the Maldivian lifestyle.
“As we believe, the biggest change that will be witnessed through the interactive project will be a change in how Maldivians perceive their heritage. They will come to understand the importance of their heritage. They will come to understand the crucial role our heritage played in the survival of Maldivians,” he added.
Minister Adam Naseer described the interactive museum, which is being developed to appeal to visitors, as a crucial component of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s policy on protecting Maldivian heritage.
Hamdhan, who also spoke at the ceremony, affirmed FDC’s full cooperation for the project.  He also affirmed that the company is prepared to undertake the project.
No other details regarding the project, including its costs, have been disclosed so far.
Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage contracts Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) to transform Usgekolhu into an immersive museum. (Photo/Ministry)
While FDC is a company originally established for social housing projects, it has recently been contacted to projects such as the development of school classrooms.
Usgekolhu, once the residence of several Maldivian sultans, was later repurposed as the country’s national museum. Following the establishment of the new national museum, Usgekolhu was left unused and subsequently leased for 12 years to a company to develop and run a restaurant, a decision made under former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s administration. The administration had also reached out to Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) with the intention of developing Usgekolhu into a children’s heritage plaza. However, the project did not progress.