Latest news with #Saadiyat
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 15-year-old pilot among participants who joined workshop to preserve heirlooms
At a quiet table in Abu Dhabi, 15-year-old Fjord Enzo Bertrand-Helmgens gently brushed an old Chinese coin with a cotton swab — a small act of care that reflects a much larger mission. The young pilot, who is also an aspiring AI engineer, was one of many participants learning the delicate craft of preservation at the Zayed National Museum's 'Preserving Our Heritage Symposium.' Held on May 28–29 at Saadiyat Rotana Resort, the two-day event welcomed people from all walks of life — students, artists, museum professionals, and families — to learn how to care for personal heirlooms and, in doing so, help protect the cultural memory they carry. For Fjord, restoring coins — from dynasties in China to historical pieces from the UAE, Ukraine, and Czech Republic — sparked a new appreciation. 'I'm not into coins,' he said, 'but the restoration process lets you hold history in your hands.' His mother, anthropologist Marina Bertrand-Helmgens, joined him at the workshop. 'Fjord was born in the UAE and embraced the Emirati culture from a young age,' she said. 'The more rooted you are in your heritage, the further you can grow." Organised in partnership with UK-based West Dean College and Plowden & Smith, the symposium offered practical sessions on restoring everything from paper and photographs to textiles, metals, and ceramics. Shaima Al Ameri, a master's student in art history and museum studies at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was also at the workshop. She joined last year's pilot version of the programme and came back for the expanded edition. 'These types of workshops don't just train you, they connect you with people from different backgrounds who share the same love and passion for conservation,' said the 35-year-old Emirati. One session that stood out focused on the unexpected vulnerability of modern plastics. 'People assume plastic lasts forever. But there are many kinds, and depending on the material and environment, it can deteriorate just like anything else.' During the symposioum, one mother brought her two daughters to learn how to preserve a traditional wedding dress, while another participant attended with her two-year-old, who sat in on coloring sessions to better understand how conservationists match original pigments. Empowering everyday people Conservation experts from the UAE and abroad guided participants through the science and techniques of preservation — covering how to handle fragile items, understand environmental threats like humidity, heat, and light, and use modern tools like X-ray fluorescence scanners. While conservation training is often reserved for professionals, this symposium was designed to be different. It aimed to empower everyday people with the skills to protect the items that matter most to them. 'This kind of hands-on conservation training is the first of its kind in the UAE tailored to the general public,' said Fatima Mansoor Al Tamimi, Head of the Conservation Unit at Zayed National Museum. 'We want the public, artists, collectors, even students to understand how to preserve the things they care about." Tools like polarising microscopes and X-ray fluoresce scanners and 3D printers, were brought in to examine material composition. 'When I placed my necklace under the XRF scanner, I found out it was 88 percent 22-karat gold — but it also contained copper,' said Al Tamimi. 'Interestingly, some inks used in old manuscripts also contain copper, which explains why certain parchments deteriorate faster than others.' Textile conservation also proved particularly relevant to participants with traditional Emirati clothing. One demonstration involved carefully folding a thoub using 'snake rolls' of acid-free paper to prevent permanent creases. 'The way you fold, store, and box these items makes a huge difference,' the museum official explained. 'Humidity here is a major challenge — unlike Europe, we have to tailor our methods to this climate.' The museum plans to develop deeper, more specialised workshops in future editions of the symposium, as part of its broader mission to extend heritage preservation beyond institutional walls. 'As conservators, we're not trying to make old objects look new,' pointed Al Tamimi. 'We want people to see the effects of time, to understand the journey of a piece. It's like vintage jewels. The beauty is in its story.' For Marina, the experience was deeply personal. 'The entire symposium felt like a gift,' she said. 'It reminded us that tangible heritage is fragile. And that caring for it, whether it's a coin or a book or a dress, is a way of carrying our history forward.'
Gulf Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Aldar sells Mamsha Gardens bldg to Hong Kong's Gaw Capital for Dhs586m
Image: Supplied Abu Dhabi-based The 71-unit building, one of seven in the Mamsha Gardens development, is located in Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District and spans more than 16,000 square metres of sellable area. The transaction reflects Abu Dhabi's rising profile as a destination for international real estate investment, particularly among buyers from China and Hong Kong. 'This transaction underscores the strength of Aldar's development platform and the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi's increasingly mature real estate market to global investors,' said Talal Al Dhiyebi, group CEO at Aldar. 'In the first quarter of 2025, 87 per cent of Aldar's UAE sales came from international buyers.' In 2024, Chinese and Hong Kong buyers accounted for Dhs1.5bn of Aldar's UAE development sales, representing a more than 30-fold increase over 2022. That trend has continued into 2025, with Dhs1.3bn in sales recorded from the same investor base in the first quarter alone. Christina Gaw, managing principal and global head of Capital Markets at Gaw Capital Partners, described the acquisition as a 'landmark investment' that reflects the firm's confidence in the Middle East market and in Aldar as a strategic partner. Aldar's strategic partnership The deal follows other high-profile capital inflows into Aldar's platform, including its $1.4 bn strategic partnership with Apollo Global Management in 2022. The latest transaction is seen as a signal of growing international trust in Abu Dhabi's 'Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for international real estate investment,' said Rashed Al Omaira, acting director general of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC). Due to strong demand for the development, Aldar announced that it will release the seventh building at Mamsha Gardens for sale. Launching on May 14, the units will be available for all nationalities and are expected to attract investors focused on the short-term rental market, with optional management services provided by Aldar.
Arabian Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's Aldar sells Mamsha Gardens building to Hong Kong investor for $160mn
Aldar Properties has completed the sale of a residential building at Mamsha Gardens to Hong Kong-based real estate private equity firm GAW Capital Partners for AED586 million. The transaction marks GAW Capital Partners' first investment in the UAE. Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, said: 'This transaction underscores the strength of Aldar's development platform and the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi's increasingly mature real estate market to global investors – in the first quarter of 2025, 87 per cent of Aldar's UAE sales came from international buyers. 'The entry of Gaw Capital Partners, a leading Asia-based investor – making its first investment in the UAE – reflects Abu Dhabi's economic growth expectations and its status as a go-to investment destination, where value continues to be driven by robust economic fundamentals, attractive demographics and high-quality assets.' Aldar sells Mamsha Gardens building The building, one of seven at Mamsha Gardens, comprises 71 apartments and townhouses with a total sellable area exceeding 16,000 square metres. It is located within the Saadiyat Cultural District. The deal highlights the increasing appeal of Abu Dhabi's property market to international investors, particularly from Asia. Chinese and Hong Kong buyers accounted for AED1.5 billion of Aldar's total UAE development sales in 2024, representing more than a 30-fold increase compared to 2022. Rashed Al Omaira, Acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), explained: 'Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for international real estate investment, driven by a robust regulatory framework, economic stability, and a growing pipeline of high-quality assets. The entry of new global investors reflects the maturing landscape of the emirate's real estate sector and highlights the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a long-term, value-driven market.' The momentum continued into 2025, with AED1.3 billion in sales recorded in the first quarter alone. Aldar's $1.4 billion strategic partnership with Apollo Global Management in 2022. Due to demand for Mamsha Gardens, Aldar is releasing the seventh building for sale. Christina Gaw, Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets and Co-Chair of Alternative Investments at Gaw Capital Partners, added: 'We are thrilled to announce Gaw Capital Partners' first deal in Abu Dhabi with the acquisition of a residential building at Mamsha Gardens. This landmark investment reflects our positive view of the dynamic Middle East market, its potential for growth and innovation, and our trust in Aldar as a leading UAE developer. We are committed to leveraging our expertise to drive value creation and sustainable development in the region.' The development is situated within walking distance of Mamsha Al Saadiyat and Saadiyat Grove, offering proximity to cultural landmarks such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and access to retail, hospitality, and leisure amenities. Sales of the units will launch on May 14 for all nationalities. Interested buyers can visit Aldar's Sales Centre at Aldar Square or the Aldar Sales Centre in Dubai, next to Kite Beach on Jumeirah Beach Road. Customers can also contact Aldar via email or call.
