SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
From June 5 to 7, the Zayed National Museum marked World Environment Day by hosting a programme featuring discussions, heritage performances, immersive experiences, live demonstrations, as well as hands-on workshops showcasing sustainability, biodiversity and Emirati heritage.
The museum highlighted how sustainability has long been embedded in Emirati culture, reflecting on the principles that inspired past generations towards a more sustainable future.
Among the highlights was “Multaqa Zayed National Museum: Living with the Land”, which explored traditional practices, sustainable use of natural resources, and efforts to preserve heritage for future generations.
Traditional Emirati performances, “Sustainable Traditions” showcased craftsmanship using palm leaves and fronds, the immersive “Soundwaves Experience” inspired by the UAE’s landscapes, “The Little Makers’ Studio”, and “Stitch it Back: Repair, Reimagine, Reuse”.
The programme also featured the “Botanical Printing Studio and The Edible Library: A Melliferous Menu by Ballad”. It offered visitors insights into honey production, biodiversity, pollination systems, and beekeeping practices.
Speaking to Aletihad, Leqa Al Zaabi, Interpretation Experience Unit Head at Zayed National Museum, said the initiative was designed to connect visitors with sustainability through heritage, creativity, and hands-on learning.
As an instance, the Sustainable Traditions experience showcased how everyday items are crafted from local materials.
“Participants can work directly with palm leaves and fronds and see how they are transformed into durable objects, highlighting how sustainability has long been embedded in Emirati traditions and daily life,” she said.
The museum incorporates sustainability not only through its activities but also through the narratives and experiences presented across its galleries, she said.
“Across our galleries, we highlight the life and legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to environmental stewardship, as well as the UAE’s diverse natural landscapes.”
The museum highlighted how communities in the region historically relied on natural resources to support everyday life; whether for building homes, boats or everyday tools.
“These stories demonstrate that sustainability is not a new concept but has long been part of the UAE’s heritage,” Al Zaabi explained.
One such example is The Little Makers’ Studio, where children and parents transform old clothes and recycled fabrics into stuffed toys inspired by UAE wildlife.
“Through creativity, storytelling and sustainable crafts, families learn about reusing materials while creating meaningful keepsakes together,” she remarked.
Al Zaabi added that the programme reflects values that have always been central to Emirati culture.