The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai, Mohammed Ahmed Al Mehairi, affirmed the UAE's pride in its relations with the Republic of Finland, especially in the cultural field, which is rich in human heritage. He praised the Finnish cultural journey, citing prominent libraries in Helsinki such as 'Oodi' Library, considered one of the world's most beautiful for its modern design and creative spirit, and the National Library, which reflects Finland's progressive vision and stands as a cornerstone of the European intellectual landscape.
This came during a reception at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library in Dubai yesterday for the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to the country, Tula Johanna Eriola.
The Ambassador expressed her deep appreciation for the UAE's experience, describing it as a global model for development, and lauded the depth of Emirati-Finnish relations spanning 50 years, confirming the two countries' aspiration to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation in the coming decades.
She expressed her admiration for the architectural design of the Mohammed bin Rashid Library and its pioneering role, which transcends the traditional concept of a library to become a vibrant hub of knowledge, creativity, and arts.
Mohammed Al Mehairi accompanied the Finnish Ambassador on a tour that included the Treasures Exhibition, one of the library's permanent exhibitions, where she viewed manuscripts and rare books that embody a knowledge heritage across civilizations, and explored the specialized libraries to review the latest services and facilities for visitors, researchers, and students.
At the conclusion of the visit, Mohammed Al Mehairi presented the Finnish Ambassador with a copy of his latest publication, 'Madagascar.. Coasts and Boats', a literary and photographic work documenting the features of the island, in addition to the book 'Umm Kulthum in Abu Dhabi', which chronicles her historic visit to the capital in the 1970s.
