Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed former US presidents, international dignitaries and celebrities to Chicago for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
The new attraction, which honours the couple’s eight years in the White House, has been in development since Obama left office nearly a decade ago.
Former presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden were among those in attendance. Current President Donald Trump, who has had a long-running feud with Obama, was not invited.
The Obamas selected Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side for the 20-acre campus, close to the home where they lived before moving to Washington.
Obama, who served as president from 2009 to 2017, told guests during Thursday’s opening ceremony: “We wanted it [the centre] to be a vibrant, living celebration of community. Where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play.”
The former president appeared emotional as Michelle Obama paid a heartfelt tribute to him during the ceremony.
Neither Barack nor Michelle Obama mentioned Trump by name, but both made pointed comments that were widely seen as indirect criticism of the current administration.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who both served during Obama’s presidency, were also present at the event.
The ceremony featured performances from a star-studded lineup of artists, including Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Common, Marc Anthony, U2’s Bono and The Edge, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, who was born in Illinois, also performed an original song written for the occasion.
US presidents traditionally open libraries after leaving office. While some mainly serve as archives for presidential papers and key artefacts, others are designed as larger museums and cultural spaces.
The Obama Presidential Center combines museum and reading room features with community-focused facilities, including a playground, basketball court, recording studio and public library.
However, the project has faced a number of challenges. Its 225ft-high (67m) monolithic centrepiece has received mixed reviews from critics and members of the public.
The decision to build the centre on public parkland also sparked local opposition and legal disputes.
The privately funded project, which reportedly cost around US$850 million, has also faced delays and cost overruns.
Some residents raised concerns that the attraction could speed up gentrification on Chicago’s South Side, adding further controversy to the development.
Supporters, however, said the centre would bring more visitors to Chicago and serve as a fitting tribute to the nation’s first black president.
