Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Step inside the Louvre Abu Dhabi and you’ll find a world of cultures, connecting civilisations across time and geography.
On International Museum Day, marked every May 18, the cultural landmark spotlights its growth beyond its dome and how it serves the UAE by sparking conversations, facilitating knowledge exchange, and bringing people together.
Louvre Abu Dhabi reinforces the UAE’s position as “a global hub for cultures and ideas”, said Husain Ali Alhashmi, Director of Visitor Experience and Sales at the museum.
International partnerships are central to the institution's mission, enabling the exchange of artworks, expertise, and research across borders. These collaborations strengthen its role “as a bridge between civilisations and a platform for cultural dialogue and mutual understanding”, Alhashmi said.
There is conscious effort, however, to tie the museum’s global outlook to the local and regional art scene.
Alhashmi cited the "Picasso, the Figure"exhibition as an example. Louvre Abu Dhabi teamed up with Meem Gallery and Barjeel Art Foundation, as well as institutions in Qatar and Lebanon, and tapped regional collections to add depth to the exhibition.
The museum’s upcoming calendar places strong emphasis on contemporary expression and multidisciplinary engagement. Alhashmi highlighted Art Here 2026, which expanded this year to India and the GCC, exploring “cultural intersections and shared human experiences across the Indian Ocean”.
The calendar also includes Cannes Film Nights, wellness experiences under the dome, family workshops, and music and performance events, he added.
All these efforts — from curatorial excellence to inclusive public engagement — are shaping the visitor experience, he said.
Multilingual materials are produced, guided visits are carefully designed, and special programmes are rolled out for diverse audiences.
Alhashmi said particular attention is given to creating a seamless and welcoming journey, allowing visitors to engage with the museum’s narrative with “clarity, comfort, and ease”. He added that the operations teams are also testing staffing levels, language offerings, and amenities against seasonal visitor expectations, with a focus on delivering more personalised and inclusive services.
As culture continues to play a key role in advancing knowledge, empathy, and understanding in a rapidly changing world, Louvre Abu Dhabi takes to heart its role as “guardians of history and spaces for learning and dialogue that connect people”, he added.
