"Head of the Department of Culture in Abu Dhabi"Museums are laboratories of knowledge, creativity and discovery
Abu Dhabi, November 16 / WAM / His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, confirmed that museums today have become laboratories of knowledge, creativity and discovery, which is embodied by the institutions of the Saadiyat Cultural District as living platforms for research, education and dialogue.
He pointed out that the UAE’s commitment to museums is closely linked to the vision of the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” who in 1969, before the establishment of the Federation, directed the establishment of the first museum in the Al Ain region, based on the fundamental and eternal truth that “he who has no past has no present and no future.”
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, His Excellency said that this month, the UAE hosted the twenty-seventh session of the General Conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in the Emirate of Dubai, stressing that this event represented a pivotal milestone for our country and the region, and an opportunity for a distinguished Emirati contribution to the global dialogue on museums and cultural heritage.
His Excellency explained that the title of this year’s conference, “The Future of Museums in Societies Changing at a Rapid Speed,” raised urgent questions about the fundamental role that museums should play at a historical moment in which societies face intertwined and profound social, economic, and environmental challenges.
His Excellency pointed out that, for more than five decades, the country has continued to build on this solid foundation, adhering to its values and integrating the cultural structure into the core of the fabric of its societies to ensure that the cultural heritage remains a living and renewable part of their common future.
He added that the UAE’s belief in the fundamental value and historical and future role of museums is a firm belief. When they work in the spirit of their societal mission, they transcend their institutional walls and turn into catalysts for opportunities, bridges for human communication, engines for social change, and spaces that empower the next generation.
His Excellency explained that over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has accelerated its steps in cultural development with a clear vision, as it has advanced in implementing major museum projects in the Saadiyat Cultural District, including the Zayed National Museum, the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, in addition to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Team Lab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Important heritage institutions such as the Al Ain Museum and Qasr Al Hosn have also been restored, in addition to deepening national cooperation to protect intangible cultural heritage and enhance its presence on UNESCO lists.
He pointed out that the Antiquities Program continues to excavate new discoveries – from geological and fossil sites to ancient archaeological discoveries – that enrich the understanding of the civilizations that flourished on the land of the Emirates.
He explained that these achievements reflect Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to building one of the most vibrant and advanced cultural scenes in the world, within the framework of a national system in which creative energies are harmonious and the vitality of culture interacts in the various emirates of the country.
He stressed that each museum plays a specialized and complementary role to the other, forming an integrated system that enhances national identity, enriches civic life, and supports community cohesion, stressing that the UAE’s museums are spaces of belonging in which people of more than two hundred nationalities find common ground and human experiences that bring them together.
His Excellency pointed out that these institutions are vital platforms for social and economic opportunities, supporting creative industries and attracting cultural tourism, and also enable young people to understand their identity and roots in a rapidly changing world.
Al-Mubarak stressed the continuation of efforts to build an integrated museum system with authentic roots rooted in the societal fabric, integrating cultural heritage into daily life, and providing an educational and cultural environment that contributes to enhancing awareness of the role of museums in preserving heritage.
His Excellency stressed the contribution of Arab civilization to the path of human civilization and the UAE’s keenness to highlight the masterpieces of its heritage and valuable collections, stressing that the country’s museums constitute a wide window into a deep-rooted cultural narrative, and that international partnerships, including cooperation with the International Council of Museums, enhance the presence of the Arab voice in global discussions about the future of museum work.
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