emirates7 - Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT–Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the future Abu Dhabi envisions is not solely based on infrastructure or data—but equally on the power of ideas, cultural heritage, and human relationships.
In an op-ed marking International Museum Day (18 May), Al Mubarak highlighted that Abu Dhabi has long been a cultural crossroads where East meets West, past meets future, and tradition meets ambition. This convergence is not just geographic; it’s foundational to the emirate’s identity—a society built on curiosity, exchange of ideas, and a shared belief in culture’s power to inspire and connect.
This year’s International Museum Day theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” is especially relevant. In a world shaped by fast-paced technological change, environmental crises, and global unpredictability, museums are no longer just spaces to safeguard the past. They are dynamic hubs of creativity, inclusion, and innovation that help forge stronger, more connected societies.
These principles are at the core of the Saadiyat Cultural District—a unique cluster of world-renowned institutions that celebrates cultural exchange, human creativity, and the universal stories that bind people across time and place. More than a collection of museums, the District symbolizes Abu Dhabi’s lasting commitment to nurturing knowledge and creativity, and to offering spaces that inspire, empower, and transform.
Each institution within the District plays a vital and unique role. For instance:
Louvre Abu Dhabi brings together masterpieces from different civilizations, showing that artistic genius transcends borders and historical periods.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi explores the interplay of art, science, and technology, positioning the UAE as a leader in future-focused storytelling.
Zayed National Museum narrates the UAE’s journey from a community of pearl divers and traders to a modern knowledge-based nation—illustrating resilience and transformation.
Yet, Abu Dhabi’s cultural ambition extends beyond Saadiyat. Across the emirate, a broad network of museums and heritage sites embeds culture in the daily life of its people.
Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest structure in the city, now serves as a living museum chronicling Abu Dhabi’s evolution from a watchtower to a global metropolis.
In Al Ain, the birthplace of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, historic sites like Al Ain Museum, Al Ain Palace Museum, and Qasr Al Muwaiji stand as lasting symbols of national heritage and leadership.
On the city’s edge, Al Maqta Museum, housed in a historic watchtower, showcases the region’s maritime and defensive legacy.
Meanwhile, Delma Museum—located on one of the UAE’s oldest inhabited islands—preserves the nation's pearling and seafaring traditions.
These institutions reflect and reinforce both local pride and a broader national identity. Each museum is designed with its community in mind, ensuring that everyone—from students to researchers—can find themselves in the stories they tell.
This commitment reflects the enduring vision of Sheikh Zayed, who understood early on that culture is central not just to remembering the past, but to building a united, forward-looking nation. His philosophy is more relevant than ever today.
A major step in that journey was the recent launch of the Abu Dhabi Collection—an assemblage of thousands of artworks curated by DCT–Abu Dhabi over the years. Spanning continents, cultures, and centuries, the collection reinforces the idea that culture is fluid, borderless, and shared by all.
As the world faces challenges ranging from demographic shifts to climate change and geopolitical complexity, culture stands out as a vital tool. It transforms uncertainty into opportunity, reminding us that progress begins with imagination and is grounded in human experience.
On this International Museum Day, Abu Dhabi reaffirms its belief in a future built not just on technology or infrastructure, but on the enduring strength of ideas, heritage, and human connection. Through its investment in cultural institutions, creative sectors, and community engagement, Abu Dhabi is not only preserving history but also shaping a brighter and more inclusive future—because culture is humanity’s oldest tool for survival and its most lasting source of hope.
In an op-ed marking International Museum Day (18 May), Al Mubarak highlighted that Abu Dhabi has long been a cultural crossroads where East meets West, past meets future, and tradition meets ambition. This convergence is not just geographic; it’s foundational to the emirate’s identity—a society built on curiosity, exchange of ideas, and a shared belief in culture’s power to inspire and connect.
This year’s International Museum Day theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” is especially relevant. In a world shaped by fast-paced technological change, environmental crises, and global unpredictability, museums are no longer just spaces to safeguard the past. They are dynamic hubs of creativity, inclusion, and innovation that help forge stronger, more connected societies.
These principles are at the core of the Saadiyat Cultural District—a unique cluster of world-renowned institutions that celebrates cultural exchange, human creativity, and the universal stories that bind people across time and place. More than a collection of museums, the District symbolizes Abu Dhabi’s lasting commitment to nurturing knowledge and creativity, and to offering spaces that inspire, empower, and transform.
Each institution within the District plays a vital and unique role. For instance:
Louvre Abu Dhabi brings together masterpieces from different civilizations, showing that artistic genius transcends borders and historical periods.
teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi explores the interplay of art, science, and technology, positioning the UAE as a leader in future-focused storytelling.
Zayed National Museum narrates the UAE’s journey from a community of pearl divers and traders to a modern knowledge-based nation—illustrating resilience and transformation.
Yet, Abu Dhabi’s cultural ambition extends beyond Saadiyat. Across the emirate, a broad network of museums and heritage sites embeds culture in the daily life of its people.
Qasr Al Hosn, the oldest structure in the city, now serves as a living museum chronicling Abu Dhabi’s evolution from a watchtower to a global metropolis.
In Al Ain, the birthplace of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, historic sites like Al Ain Museum, Al Ain Palace Museum, and Qasr Al Muwaiji stand as lasting symbols of national heritage and leadership.
On the city’s edge, Al Maqta Museum, housed in a historic watchtower, showcases the region’s maritime and defensive legacy.
Meanwhile, Delma Museum—located on one of the UAE’s oldest inhabited islands—preserves the nation's pearling and seafaring traditions.
These institutions reflect and reinforce both local pride and a broader national identity. Each museum is designed with its community in mind, ensuring that everyone—from students to researchers—can find themselves in the stories they tell.
This commitment reflects the enduring vision of Sheikh Zayed, who understood early on that culture is central not just to remembering the past, but to building a united, forward-looking nation. His philosophy is more relevant than ever today.
A major step in that journey was the recent launch of the Abu Dhabi Collection—an assemblage of thousands of artworks curated by DCT–Abu Dhabi over the years. Spanning continents, cultures, and centuries, the collection reinforces the idea that culture is fluid, borderless, and shared by all.
As the world faces challenges ranging from demographic shifts to climate change and geopolitical complexity, culture stands out as a vital tool. It transforms uncertainty into opportunity, reminding us that progress begins with imagination and is grounded in human experience.
On this International Museum Day, Abu Dhabi reaffirms its belief in a future built not just on technology or infrastructure, but on the enduring strength of ideas, heritage, and human connection. Through its investment in cultural institutions, creative sectors, and community engagement, Abu Dhabi is not only preserving history but also shaping a brighter and more inclusive future—because culture is humanity’s oldest tool for survival and its most lasting source of hope.