Abu Dhabi Reaffirms Cultural Identity with Reopening of Al Ain Museum
The recent reopening of the Al Ain Museum highlights the central role of culture in shaping the UAE’s national identity and vision for the future. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), noted that “culture remains at the heart of the nation’s identity and future direction, emphasising that the revival of historic institutions like the Al Ain Museum is a tribute to the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Following its October relaunch, the museum has become a vital link to the deep roots of the Al Ain Region, which Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak described as “the historic heart of the emirate and a global contributor to human heritage.” The Al Ain Region holds global importance as home to the UAE’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The redevelopment of Al Ain Museum—now expanded to over 8,000 square metres—serves as a gateway to understanding these sites, offering a narrative that blends memory and innovation.
Inside, visitors can explore artifacts dating back more than 8,000 years. Exhibits highlight ancient irrigation systems and archaeological discoveries, celebrating the ingenuity and sustainability of the region’s ancestors.
Under the Tourism Strategy 2030, Abu Dhabi aims to attract around 520,000 overnight leisure hotel guests to the Al Ain Region each year by 2030. This target is supported by promoting iconic landmarks such as Qasr Al Muwaiji, Al Jahili Fort, and the Al Qattara Arts Centre. Such efforts contributed to the Al Ain Region’s selection by GCC tourism ministers as the Gulf Capital of Tourism for this year, recognized for its hospitality and diverse cultural, wellness, and adventure offerings.
Al Mubarak further highlighted key cultural initiatives, mentioning Louvre Abu Dhabi—the first universal museum in the Arab world—and Bait Al Oud for their central roles in positioning Abu Dhabi as a global cultural capital. While the Louvre Abu Dhabi fosters intercultural openness, Bait Al Oud helps preserve intangible heritage by teaching traditional instruments.
An extensive programme of festivals, including the Al Hosn Festival and Culture Summit, also support Abu Dhabi’s standing as a center for creativity and learning. Reflecting this momentum, data indicate a significant surge in cultural interest, with Abu Dhabi’s heritage sites welcoming more than 4 million visitors from January to June 2025—a 47 percent growth over the previous year.
Looking ahead, Al Mubarak confirmed that the Al Ain Museum will serve as a hub for international collaboration, featuring research facilities and educational spaces designed to welcome academics and visitors globally, preserving and advancing world heritage knowledge.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
