A new national museum will launch in Tartu, Estonia in late 2016.

Located in the city's Raadi district, the Estonia National Museum (ENM) will be funded by the Estonian Government.

Director of the museum, Estonian politician Tonis Lukas, said that he hoped to sign a building contract in the next few weeks with construction expected to begin in March 2013.

Designed by architects Dan Dorell, Lina Ghotmeh and Tsuyoshi, the 33,876sq m (364,638sq ft) building has been designed as a long, open hall.

The structure will act as a stage for museum displays and performances and the building will feature an inclined roof, which symbolises rising to the sky and moving towards the future.

The ENM will showcase the history of Estonia as a nation, along with displays on people of the world. It aims to be an institution of the region's public life, education, science, leisure activities and tourism.

The new building will centre around two permanent exhibitions, which combine science and interactivity.

The Estonian permanent exhibition looks into the past, present and future through peoples' experiences, lives and emotions. It also tells the story of all people who have lived on Estonian soil.

The Finno-Ugric people’s exhibition will offer visitors knowledge on the cultural space of peoples living in Northern Eurasia.

Meanwhile, the temporary exhibitions will introduce cultures and art projects from around the world.

In addition, the new building will contain a multifunctional conference centre, cinema halls and a library as well as a centre dedicated to the preservation of national cultural heritage and a training centre of practical and theoretical teaching.