SARA ALZAABI AND AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi opened its museums to the public over the weekend, offering free entry until today to mark International Museum Day.
Residents took the opportunity to spend time with family and friends as they travelled through time and experienced UAE culture and heritage.
UAE national Aysha Mohammad has always loved visiting museums because of the unique stories they tell; so, when she learnt tickets would be free for all for three days, she told her loved ones right away.
"It was great especially for children. The workshops and live activities make the experience more engaging and fun," she said.
Hamda Alameri, another Emirati, agreed that these days, museums do more than keep and display artefacts behind the glass. "They foster dialogue across generations and cultures, and occasions like this help individuals feel more connected to their culture and heritage," she said.
Abu Dhabi's museums made sure the free access came with meaningful experiences. At Zayed National Museum, all three days have been packed with activities - from storytelling majlis sessions and Sadu bracelet-making workshops to live performances, object experiences, family scavenger hunts, and hands-on creative activities.
The goal was to turn cultural learning into an experience shaped around interaction, curiosity and shared moments.
Nassra Al Buainain, Director Learning and Public Engagement Department at the museum, said that through these activities, they wanted to bring people closer to the stories and ideas behind the museum.
"We aimed to give people the chance to interact with museum curators, ask questions, look closely at objects, and raise their curiosity," Al Buainain told Aletihad.
Alongside traditional and contemporary performances inspired by UAE heritage and the poetry of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum's programme focused on interaction and discovery, she added.
The Sadu weaving workshops and sessions on the traditional Emirati coffee were among the most popular.
Across these experiences, the museum paid close attention to how the stories were told and how they reach the public through different forms of interaction.
"Everywhere in the museum, when we bring an activation, [the focus is about] bringing that level of engagement through storytelling," Al Buainain said.
Moaza Matar, Director of the Curatorial and Collections Management Department at Zayed National Museum, said the programme also reflects the museum's wider mission of celebrating the legacy and values of Sheikh Zayed.
"National museums are not just museums where we display artefacts and objects, it is a place of learning," she said.
One of the experiences at the museum, she added, allows visitors to engage directly with objects and museum specialists. "You actually can get close to the real objects [in] a very unique experience."
UAE national Adnan Al Ajami said with all these initiatives, these cultural institutions "offer a fantastic chance to learn something significant about art and history while spending quality time".
Matar said the positive feedback and strong turnout - particularly the participation of families - was a win for the national museum. "To see kids specifically engaged with their parents, with their family, with their friends, is something we always dreamt of," she added.
She emphasised that the Zayed National Museum would continue carrying Sheikh Zayed's legacy forward while sparking curiosity and creating meaningful experiences.
"We always talk about the past, but it is the present and the future that we focus on," she said. "Just take it step by step. We want you always to come back as well."