Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer, on Sunday, reported that physical works on Maldives’ first interactive and immersive museum will commence in January.
The Ministry contracted state-owned Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) to develop buildings that were once the residences of Maldivian sultans as an interactive and immersive museum back in September.
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, Minister Naseer announced that the Ministry is scheduled to execute an agreement with FDC for the commencement of the physical works on the interactive and immersive museum, adding other works related to the project are well underway.
He elaborated on the matter in an interview with Sun on Sunday, stating that FDC has completed the museum’s renderings and that the agreement to start physical works will be signed in the first week of next month.
Minister Naseer also noted that the Ministry was in discussion with several technical experts from China to secure the technical support needed for the museum.
“The Ministry is in discussion with technical experts from China to secure support needed for the museum in terms of technological components. We will disclose the value of the whole project once we sign the agreement with FDC,” he said.
Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage Adam Naseer Ibrahim. (Sun Photo/Mohamed Maavee)
The Minister added that the museum will be given a name in Dhivehi language.
Immersive and interactive museums are sensory-rich environments that use technology to allow visitors to feel fully present through visuals, sounds, and sometimes even scents, rather than simply viewing exhibits. Such museums will be developed in the Maldives at historical monuments such as Usgekolhu and Kalhu Vakaru Miskiyy to allow visitors experience Maldivian history in a completely new way. Minister Naseer has previously
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.