Google, UAE National Archives Display Over 30 Historic Photos, Videos Online

Search engine Google has partnered with the UAE’s National Archives to launch a first-time digital exhibition of the country’s history on the occasion of National Day.

The exhibit can be viewed for free on Google’s Cultural Institute platform and includes over 30 photos, videos and documents.

It features key events like the signing of the Declaration of the Union on December 2, 1971 by the UAE’s founding fathers including Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan; the first flag-hoisting; and the gathering of the UAE rulers outside the Guest Palace in Dubai.

Users can also explore the first collection of stamps in the country.

This is the first time parts of the footage from the UAE’s union is available globally for people to access anywhere and from any device, a statement said.

In an interview with Gulf Business, Tarek Abdalla, head of Marketing for Google MENA, did not reveal the costs involved in undertaking the project, but clarified that it didn’t take very long to put together.

“The National Archives were supportive from the start and both parties were keen to work closely on enabling this exhibit to go live on National Day,” he said.

“Launching the national archives of the UAE on the Cultural Institute platform is in line with our broader mission to make information more accessible.

“The UAE’s National Archives has a wealth of important material that people can explore. We have the technology capability to help people not only get online but to explore history in a more exciting and interactive way.”

The project will also immensely benefit schools, teachers and universities.

“In this visual world we live in, it can be a powerful experience to bring to the classroom and show this online exhibit,” he added.

Currently, other national archives available on the Google Cultural Institute include that of the US and the Netherlands.

Google is not undertaking any similar projects in the Middle East at present, stated Abdalla.

“We hope to contribute to the Cultural Institute with as much information and material from the Middle East but we have no plans to announce yet.

“The platform allows for different organisations/partners to upload their own content and we hope that the National Archives, who is our first partner in the UAE, will continue to enrich the gallery with new information and material.”

Regionally, Google has collected panoramic imagery of landmarks and sites in the UAE like Burj Khalifa, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Liwa desert. It has also brought online the National Museum of Iraq and the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar.

Globally, the Google Cultural Institute has over six million items across artworks, photographs and archives on display.