Obama inaugurates $850 million presidential centre, calls for civic engagement

Chicago: Former U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday urged Americans to reject political cynicism and division as he inaugurated the Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million museum and civic campus on Chicago's South Side dedicated to his presidency and civic engagement.

Joined by former first lady Michelle Obama, three former U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries and leading musicians, Obama described the center as a reminder of the value of democracy and active citizenship. "I hope this center will serve as an affirmation of just how special, how precious, our democracy truly is," Obama said, warning that abandoning civic responsibility allows the "most ruthless" and "most fearful" voices to dominate public life.

Michelle Obama praised her husband's "stubborn optimism" and leadership, telling him, "With grace and class and cool, you made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park."


The center, opening to the public on Friday, includes a museum, library, athletic facility, performance spaces and public gardens across a 19.3-acre campus in historic Jackson Park. Organizers expect it to attract up to 1 million visitors annually.