Smritivan Museum is more than just a building; it is a symbol of human endurance, a repository of memories, and a beacon of hope. The Smritivan Memorial in Gujarat has been added to the Prix Versailles Museums 2024 World Selection.
Smritivan Museum Shortlisted For Prix Versailles Museums 2024
The UNESCO has shortlisted seven most beautiful museums for the prestigious Prix Versailles Award, including the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum of Bhuj.
A proud moment for Gujarat and India. pic.twitter.com/j0a5n8RGhE— Gujarat Information (@InfoGujarat) June 15, 2024
Unesco has selected the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum as one of the seven most stunning museums to compete for the coveted Prix Versailles Award. The Prix Versailles is an annual architectural competition held at Unesco since 2015 that highlights the best modern projects in the globe. Smriti Van, which spans over 470 acres, honours the people who persevered throughout the 2001 earthquake that struck Bhuj as its epicentre and killed about 13,000 people. The seven theme blocks of the state-of-the-art Smritivan Earthquake Museum are Rebirth, Rediscover, Restore, Rebuild, Rethink, Relive, and Renew.
Shortlisted for the prestigious Unesco Prix Versailles Award 2024, this museum is not just a repository of artefacts. It’s a living narrative of the journey from tragedy to triumph. Its nomination for the award underscores its architectural brilliance and cultural significance. Being shortlisted for this award places Smritivan on the global stage, drawing attention to its role as a model for disaster memorials worldwide. Smritivan’s innovative design, which emphasises harmony with nature, sustainable practices, and cultural integration, aligns perfectly with the award’s criteria.
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What Is Unesco’s Prix Versailles Award?
We are overjoyed to announce that we havebeen honoured as one of the world's most beautiful museums by the @PrixVersailles! It's the first time an Indian museum has achieved this global recognition, & only the second time India has been nominated for this prestigious award. pic.twitter.com/gSeBbxcbTD
— Smritivan Earthquake Museum (@smritivan) June 15, 2024
The seven recently opened or reopened museums, according to Unesco’s Prix Versailles, simultaneously foster creativity, represent the local heritage and ecological efficiency, and have a remarkable environmental impact. The press announcement further stated that the three 2024 World Titles—Prize Versailles, Interior, and Exterior—for which the selected institutions would be vying will be announced at Unesco headquarters by late November. The Prix Versailles is often referred to as the World Architecture and Design Award. The award celebrates structures that foster positive interactions between people and their environments.
The Prix Versailles was initiated in 2015 to promote the integration of economic, cultural, and ecological dimensions in architectural projects. It aims to highlight the power of architecture to contribute positively to society. The award underscores the importance of architecture as a cultural expression and a driver of economic growth and environmental stewardship.
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Cover image credits: X/PrixVersailles