Today's Edition
By Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak*
As we celebrate the occasion of Eid Al Etihad, the 53rd commemoration of our united country, we reflect on our cherished social cohesion and the values that unite us. It is a time for us to honour the respect we hold for our Founding Fathers, who paved the way and instilled in us the virtues of tolerance and boundless generosity.
Guided by the vision and values of our Founding President, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, we uphold his beliefs in education and culture to build our nation. Sheikh Zayed was also passionate about cherishing, protecting, and promoting our heritage and the diverse influences that shaped our culture.
As a home to more than 200 nationalities, during a celebration that includes them all, there can be no better place than Abu Dhabi to celebrate the role that culture can and must play in building a better tomorrow by opening hearts, minds and perspectives.
Indeed, archaeological discoveries across the UAE have helped to remind us that this region has been a vital and historic bridge between the civilisations of the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Levant for millennia. Historically, it has been a place where people have learned to understand each other, cooperate and exchange.
The UAE was founded in 1971 and to document our history, the UAE’s first museum was inaugurated in Al Ain in 1971, and the first cultural centre, the Cultural Foundation, was opened in 1981. Sheikh Zayed’s legacy continued to evolve under the guidance of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Today, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, continue to build on that legacy.
This enduring dedication to cultural heritage and advancement finds its latest expression in Saadiyat Cultural District, one of the greatest concentrations of cultural institutions. Culture touches every aspect of our lives, informing our identity as a people and a nation – and culture is at the heart of our mission at DCT Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Cultural District serves as a global platform that emanates from our rich cultural heritage we celebrate this Eid Al Etihad. It supports equitable culture and represents a continuation of Abu Dhabi's historical role as a crossroads of civilisations. The District is poised to solidify Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre of cultural innovation and dialogue, profoundly impacting the UAE and beyond. The District intertwines the rich heritage of our past with the dynamic promise of our future, celebrating a legacy of enlightenment initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat, the District will be joined by Zayed National Museum, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Collectively, these institutions offer a journey through our world’s history and cultures, viewed from the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Cultural District’s dynamic spaces not only honour our history but also enhance cultural interactions. Our institutions invite people from diverse backgrounds to engage in shared experiences and cultural exchanges, thereby enriching their understanding and appreciation of our world.
These interactions are not just educational; they empower young people to embrace values of mutual understanding and respect. By fostering critical thinking and cultivating creativity, these civic places serve as lifelong learning platforms, teaching, guiding and supporting them as they deploy the power of creativity to carry forward the legacy of Saadiyat Cultural District for generations to come.
Saadiyat Cultural District also explores and interprets the way creativity can benefit every one of us, young and old, citizens of the world. The sense of connection is palpable throughout the District’s cultural institutions which offer abundant opportunities to foster creativity, education and personal enrichment, ensuring every visit, for everyone, is both memorable and transformative.
Saadiyat Cultural District is a testament to Abu Dhabi's commitment to preserving our heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision that will lead us into the future. The District will convey a message of cultural diversity that will become more powerful over time, creating global connections, inspiring cultural exchange, and fostering new ways of thinking to support the region and the global South. As Saadiyat District nears completion by the end of 2025, we look forward to fulfilling its mission.
*The writer is the Chairman for the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)
