Al Ain Museum/A renewed national narrative that combines memory and innovation
Al Ain, January 3, 2017 – Al Ain Museum is a pioneering model of the efforts of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, in preserving the national cultural heritage and transmitting it to future generations. After its reopening last October, it presents a renewed national narrative that combines memory and innovation.
Al Ain region enjoys a distinguished international status due to its great contribution to the common human heritage. It is home to the first sites in the UAE included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the Al Ain Museum represents the main gateway to understanding the cultural value of these sites and exploring their ancient history.
Through the museum’s rich narrative of the region’s history, starting with the ancient Aflaj systems that embodied the spirit of innovation and sustainability among our ancestors, all the way to modern archaeological discoveries, the museum highlights the Emirati role in shaping a civilization that is rooted and renewed at the same time.
His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stressed that the Al Ain Museum, which is the first museum established in the UAE, occupies a special place in our collective memory.
He said in a statement to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the reopening of the museum represented a vital stage in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to preserve cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations, as it connects visitors to the roots of the Al Ain region and reflects its pivotal role in shaping the national identity.
He added that the department contributes, by reviewing the first stories of the region’s history and civilization, to deepening visitors’ understanding of our rich heritage, the genius of our ancestors, and the factors that enabled man to settle and prosper in this land for thousands of years, so that this legacy remains a source of inspiration for future generations.
He stressed that the Al Ain region is the historical heart of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and tells its ancient story that embodies its cultural richness and the depth of its cultural heritage, and that the department is working, from this standpoint, to unleash the promising potential of this region in a way that serves its residents, businesses, and local economy, and at the same time highlights its authentic spirit to the world.
He explained that the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 contributes to strengthening the position of the Al Ain region within the emirate’s tourism landscape, through development projects aimed at attracting about 520,000 hotel guests annually by 2030.
He stated that the department is keen, in parallel with the redevelopment of the Al Ain Museum, to highlight prominent landmarks such as Al Muwaiji Palace, Al Jahili Fort, and the Al Qattara Arts Centre, pointing out that the Al Ain region has been chosen as the capital of Gulf tourism for the year 2025, due to the authenticity of Emirati hospitality and the diversity of its cultural, natural and human experiences.
After its reopening, the Al Ain Museum extends over an area exceeding 8,000 square metres, while preserving the original building to form an essential part of the new architectural narrative, while the museum’s collection and narrative showcase the journey of human presence in the Al Ain region.
The museum includes artifacts dating back more than 8,000 years, along with a collection of material cultural collectibles that shed light on the customs and practices of the population, as well as exhibitions that explore the rich cultural heritage of the region until today.
The museum also includes new archaeological sites that were discovered during the redevelopment work, which underwent careful excavations and were carefully preserved to become a pivotal element in the visitors’ experience, and a wide collection of artifacts dating back thousands of years of human presence in the region.
The museum contains a research center dedicated to supporting excavations, multidisciplinary studies, and antiquities preservation efforts. It also includes an educational space designed to host interactive workshops and practical educational activities, giving visitors the opportunity to interact directly with the region’s cultural and historical heritage.
It is worth noting that cultural and heritage sites in Abu Dhabi received more than 4 million visitors during the period from January to June 2025, with a growth rate of 47% compared to the same period in 2024.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
