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Cultural Policy in Abu Dhabi

With a population of around 2.5 million, Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates

By WCCF Editor
Farah Al Qasimi – Homesickness – Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial 2024 – Photo by Lance Gerber

Cultural policy

Culture is at the centre of all initiatives taking place in Abu Dhabi. The city aims to prioritise future activities, allocate cultural resources effectively, and make informed decisions in a timely manner. Future objectives involve the alignment of efforts of all stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and investors toward a common goal, ensuring a collaborative synergy that is essential to Abu Dhabi’s long-term success. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing among domain experts and practitioners are essential to create innovative approaches, allowing for the preparation of potential challenges and opportunities.

Abu Dhabi continues to progress innovatively, introducing new sustainable guidelines and a vigorous strategy guiding all cultural activities. Through its commitment to the UAE’s 2071 strategy Centennial Plan, Abu Dhabi is dedicated to becoming one of the most exciting places in the world to visit, live, work, and play.

Cultural programmes

Every year in Abu Dhabi, the Al Hosn Festival takes place. This festival represents a living expression of Abu Dhabi’s culture, and a celebration of the emirate’s heritage including art exhibitions, musical performances, traditional crafts and food. It is held at Al Hosn, home to the city’s most treasured historic site, Qasr Al Hosn. There, diverse communities come together to make unexpected discoveries, build connections with their past and take part in Abu Dhabi’s ever evolving story.

Abu Dhabi also runs several year-round programmes including exhibitions, workshops, and talks promoting contemporary art in Abu Dhabi and building a strong community of artists, curators, and collectors. Examples of these programmes are Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, Abu Dhabi Art, and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, to name a few. In Abu Dhabi, museums stand as architectural marvels and cultural repositories: the iconic Louvre Abu Dhabi, the upcoming Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, and the teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi testify of the city’s commitment to preserving its rich heritage and embracing global diversity.

The vision for the Saadiyat Cultural District, aiming to bring together diverse cultures and foster knowledge and understanding through its museums, education and cultural institutions

Cultural heritage and infrastructure

The vibrant city of Abu Dhabi is home to a diverse cultural landscape, reflecting the country’s rich history and its modern, cosmopolitan spirit. The city’s creativity generates from a variety of traditions, such as the Al Sadu, a traditional weaving technique, inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Performing arts are also part of the city and the country’s traditions. Deeply embedded in the United Arab Emirates culture, Al-Ayyala exemplifies the ethos and gallantry of Bedouin life and reinforces the values of dignity and honour. Because it reflects the heritage and values of Emirati culture, Al-Ayyala was inscribed in 2014 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Related topics: Cultural Infrastructure, Heritage, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Middle East

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Key Facts

  • In Arabic, abu means ‘father’ and dhabi means ‘gazelle’. Abu Dhabi, therefore, translates as: ‘Father of the Gazelle’.
  • The vision for the Saadiyat Cultural District is to be a premier global destination that brings together diverse cultures and fosters knowledge and understanding through its museums, education and cultural institutions. By telling the stories of the UAE, the world, and the connections that have shaped creativity and innovation throughout history, these unique civic spaces and cultural landmarks will serve as a cornerstone of the District and a beacon for cultural exchange, presenting one of the world’s highest concentrations of cultural experiences. The anchoring museums of the Saadiyat Cultural District encompass natural history, cultural heritage and contemporary creative expression. Through their iconic architecture, collections, and programming, these museums will celebrate diversity, openness, and inclusion, creating an unparalleled global public sphere where people can come together and engage in intercultural and intellectual exchange. Most importantly, it will represent Abu Dhabi’s vision of a country that celebrates and embodies these values. As a result, the Saadiyat Cultural District will become a hub of intercultural dialogue and a center for the creation of knowledge, attracting local, regional, and international visitors and making a lasting impact on the world.
  • In 2021, Abu Dhabi was designated as City of Music by the UNESCO Creative City Network.
  • In 2019, the oldest known pearl in the world was discovered on Marawah Island, off the coast of Abu Dhabi. It is estimated to be around 8,000 years old.
  • Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi boasts the world’s fastest roller coaster. The Formula Rossa is more than 2.2 kilometres in track length and can reach speeds of over 240 kilometres per hour.

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