Zayed National Museum celebrates the legacy of the founding leader and builds bridges of communication between generations
Abu Dhabi, 3 December / WAM / The Zayed National Museum is a prominent knowledge and cultural beacon in the heart of the cultural district in Saadiyat. The National Museum of the UAE celebrates the legacy of the late founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and presents a comprehensive narrative of the ancient history of the country, from ancient times to the present day, within the framework of a vision that seeks to consolidate communication between generations and enhance awareness of national identity.
His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stressed that the museum represents a strategic knowledge platform for future generations, linking innovation and history, and allowing visitors to learn about the country’s ancient history through innovative and inspiring interactive methods.
He said that the Zayed National Museum celebrates the authentic values that have been rooted in the UAE society for decades, which inspire generations and motivate them to achieve more national successes and achievements.
He added that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the founding leaders, founded the country on a cultural heritage extending back thousands of years, and were keen to support exploratory and archaeological missions that revealed the depth of Emirati history throughout the ages.
His Excellency explained that the Saadiyat Cultural District, with its diverse and specialized museums, represents an integrated scientific approach for generations that inspires them and prepares them for the future. These museums are not just cultural destinations, but rather knowledge platforms that provide an advanced, multi-dimensional narrative for young people and society.
He pointed out that the Zayed National Museum, as the country’s national museum, presents sublime messages inspired by the legacy of the founding father, may God rest his soul, and his deep commitment to cultural heritage, education, and the promotion of identity and belonging.
His Excellency stressed the importance of having such museums in the UAE, and in the Arabian Gulf region and the Arab world in general, saying: “Our story must be told by us, and we must know the world about our inspiring journey, our ancient civilization, and our ancient history. The Zayed National Museum is not just a museum, but rather a gateway to highlighting the UAE’s identity and its cultural message to the world.”
He stressed that the opening of the Zayed National Museum is a historic milestone in the country’s cultural journey, and embodies its firm commitment to protecting its heritage and enhancing its global cultural presence.
The Zayed National Museum includes six main exhibition halls: the “Our Beginnings” hall, which highlights multiple aspects of the life, legacy and values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in a rich and authentic narrative style, the “Through Our Nature” hall, which showcases the diversity of the UAE’s terrain and its historical influences on lifestyles, and the “To Our Ancestors” hall, which explores human activity dating back about 300,000 years, in addition to the early trade movement in the Arabian Gulf.
The “Within Our Connections” hall reviews the development of the Arabic language, the spread of Islam, and the cognitive and innovative impact left by the people of the Emirates, while the “On Our Coasts” hall focuses on the development of coastal settlements based on pearl diving, fishing, and trade, and their role in strengthening the Emirati identity through political, commercial and cultural exchange.
The “From Our Roots” hall also takes visitors on a journey to traditional lifestyles and ancient social and economic customs, while the “Al Masar Garden” is an outdoor hall that allows the life of Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, to be traced through the natural environments that shaped his vision, and includes local plants from the desert, the oasis, and urban areas.
The galleries cover about 300,000 years of human history, starting from the Paleolithic era until the modern era. The museum’s collection includes more than 3,000 pieces, of which 1,500 pieces are displayed within the galleries. It includes archaeological finds from various parts of the country, in addition to international and regional loans and local contributions that enrich the experience and highlight the richness of Emirati heritage.
The museum offers a variety of educational programs for emerging generations, and supports historical and archaeological research through the Zayed National Museum Research Fund, which provides research grants to study Emirati heritage and culture, which contributes to preparing a new generation of researchers, historians and archaeologists, and opens horizons for cooperation with teachers and educational institutions to encourage young people to engage in these vital specializations.
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