Zayed National Museum opens its doors in Abu Dhabi

To mark this milestone opening, Zayed National Museum welcomes the public to experience a programme of performances, workshops and cultural activities running until December 31 under the theme ‘Deep Roots and Everlasting Legacy’.

Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the centrepiece of Saadiyat Cultural District, opened to the public today.

Zayed National Museum aims to offer visitors a journey through the history of the UAE, from the earliest evidence of human habitation to the civilisations that shaped its culture and identity. The museum also aims to serve as a cultural bridge connecting the seven emirates, emphasising their deep shared history and heritage.

The museum also reflects how the story of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is deeply intertwined with that of the UAE, presenting his life as a lens through which to explore the values and aspirations that underpin the nation.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “As the national museum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed National Museum tells the unfolding story of the land and its people. It demonstrates the unifying power of our history and our culture, providing a space where citizens, residents and visitors can see themselves reflected in the story of our people and our land. Bridging past, present and future, it will help shape how we understand the UAE’s evolving cultural narrative. As a world-class centre for research and learning, it will inspire and equip the next generation of Emirati curators, historians and conservators, enabling our nation to further contribute to knowledge production and global cultural discourse.”

Zayed National Museum showcases a collection of more than 1,500 objects within its six permanent galleries, combining archaeological artefacts, historic objects, audiovisual and sensory experiences, as well as contemporary installations and authentic reconstructions. Starting from the museum’s 600-metre outdoor gallery, Al Masar Garden, the visitor journey continues through galleries dedicated to Sheikh Zayed’s life, the UAE’s natural landscapes, and the history of human habitation on this land, featuring archaeological discoveries spanning 300,000 years.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the museum’s opening is reported to mark a new chapter for the nation’s legacy and the culmination of an unprecedented cultural year for the UAE, with the openings of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Cultural District and the reopening of Al Ain Museum in Al Ain Region.

To mark this milestone opening, Zayed National Museum welcomes the public to experience a programme of performances, workshops and cultural activities running until December 31 under the theme ‘Deep Roots and Everlasting Legacy’. The museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces will be activated with diverse experiences that honour the UAE’s heritage and celebrate its culture. The programme brings together music, dance and storytelling to connect audiences of all ages to the nation’s history and heritage.

Highlights include traditional Razfa and Naashat dances; an immersive Gahwa experience designed with Bait Al Gahwa, accompanied by poetry, Taghrooda music, Nahma seafaring chants and the Nadba mountain call; poetry performances; and musical recitals. Hands-on workshops will explore traditional crafts and arts inspired by the museum narrative and collections, and museum tours will be available. Workshops and tours require advance booking.