ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The National Library and Archives has launched a new book titled Abu Dhabi Before 1971, a rare visual record that documents key aspects of Abu Dhabi society during a formative period preceding the establishment of the United Arab Emirates.
Produced in collaboration with the publishing house Assouline, the book offers an authoritative visual account of the emirate’s pre-union history.
The book opens with a foreword by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The historical value of the book lies in its curated collection of rare photographs, a feature of particular significance considering the limited prevalence of photography during that era.
These visual records constitute an important archival resource, enriching knowledge of Emirati heritage, traditions, and patterns of everyday life.
The publication offers a nuanced portrayal of the social and cultural contexts reflected in the photographs, illuminating a transitional era prior to the discovery of oil and the onset of rapid modernisation.
The images document aspects of everyday life, such as markets, schools, and communal activities, within a closely connected society defined by solidarity and cooperation.
It further presents intimate depictions of ordinary individuals and their lived experiences, offering an authentic representation of a community whose values and resilience laid the foundations of the modern state.
Featuring a selection of rare archival photographs preserved by the National Library and Archives, many of which are published for the first time, the book constitutes a significant reference for safeguarding collective memory and strengthening historical awareness.