Abu Dhabi has emerged as a destination where cross-cultural exchange and dialogue have been woven into the emirate’s history and heritage. Carrying forward the legacy of UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, culture remains an integral part of the community in Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Cultural District pays homage to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who defined the cultural agenda and unveiled the history of the UAE to the world through archaeological excavations and findings. This legacy began with the establishment of Al Ain Museum, the first museum in the UAE, which opened in 1971. This was followed with the inauguration of the Cultural Foundation in 1981.
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Today, Saadiyat Cultural District is emerging as a global platform for culture, creativity and knowledge exchange, and is dedicated to advancing equitable culture. Its museums, collections, and narratives celebrate the region’s heritage while promoting a diverse global cultural landscape.
Once completed, the diversity of the District’s institutions will make it one of the world’s most unique cultural platforms dedicated to intellectual exchange and transformative creativity. It is already the home of Louvre Abu Dhabi – the first universal museum in the Arab world – showcasing artworks from different cultures side by side and telling a story of human connections. Since opening in 2017, Louvre Abu Dhabi has welcomed 5 million visitors and is recognised for its breathtaking architecture and its innovative curatorial narrative. Nearby, Berklee Abu Dhabi offers music, performing arts and educational programmes throughout the year, while Manarat Al Saadiyat arts centre is home to large-scale exhibitions, cultural events and creative workshops.
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As of May 2024, construction progress of the soon-to-open institutions in Saadiyat Cultural District stands at 76 per cent. Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, will celebrate the nation’s rich history and culture, as well as honour the legacy of founding father Sheikh Zayed. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be a museum celebrating art from the 1960s to the present. Further, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will offer immersive, ever-changing installations sitting at the intersection of art and technology, inviting visitors to transcend the limits of their imagination. These will be joined by the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will take visitors on a 13.8-billion-year journey through the story of our universe and our planet, and is set to include a research and teaching institution.
With the Saadiyat Cultural District, Sheikh Zayed’s legacy has continued to evolve under the guidance of Abu Dhabi’s leadership, who recognise the importance of heritage, culture and artistic expression to thriving societies. A testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving traditions while embracing a forward-looking vision, the District invites the world to engage with diverse cultures, fosters dialogue and exchange, and offers a global cultural space that empowers the region and the global south.
For more information on Saadiyat Cultural District, please visit: https://scdabudhabi.ae/en
