The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum, located in Bhuj, Kutch district, has achieved a significant milestone. It has being awarded the third spot in UNESCO’s esteemed Prix Versailles Award.
This accolade recognizes it as one of the world’s seven most beautiful museums, highlighting its architectural and design excellence.
Celebration and Recognition:
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel lauded this achievement as a “proud moment” for Gujarat and India. He expressed his pride through his official X handle, emphasizing the museum’s global recognition for its unique expression of local culture and dedication to nature conservation.
“A proud moment for Gujarat and India! Bhuj’s Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum has been placed on the list of the seven most beautiful museums in the world under the prestigious Prix Versailles Award in architecture and design announced annually at UNESCO.”
Architectural Significance of Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum:
Chief Minister Patel praised the museum’s design, which was harmoniously integrated with the natural surroundings of Bhujia Hill and its lush greenery. He highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative of overcoming challenges and reinventing oneself, describing it as an “ethereal realization of divinity.”
“The design of this museum is amazing, as it is built on the Bhujia hill amidst the greenery of thousands of trees. This museum is a story of bravely facing challenges and reinventing them.
This museum is an ethereal realization of divinity. Heartiest congratulations to the entire team involved in the construction and management of Smritivan.”
Global Ranking:
The Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum was third on UNESCO’s prestigious list. It follows the A4 Art Museum in Chengdu, China, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. The other museums recognized include:
- Simose Art Museum in Hiroshima, Japan
- Paleis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands
- Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah, Oman
- Polish History Museum in Warsaw, Poland
Historical and Cultural Significance of the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum:
Inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on August 28, 2022, the museum is a memorial to the lives lost in the catastrophic 2001 earthquake.
The museum, which spans 11,500 square meters, is divided into seven thematic blocks: Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.
Each block represents a different facet of the museum’s mission, providing a comprehensive and poignant tribute to resilience and renewal.
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