Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

The much-anticipated Louvre Abu Dhabi will open to the public today, with a weeklong series of celebrations. The iconic architectural masterpiece designed by Jean Nouvel was inaugurated on November 8 and is located on the waterfront in Abu Dhabi’s cultural district on Saadiyat Island. Louvre Abu Dhabi is a unique collaboration between UAE and France. It explores a universal narrative through artworks and artifacts from all over the world.

“The UAE is proud of our rich heritage, while also embracing progress and change. We are a dynamic, vibrant and multicultural society, where people live in harmony and tolerance. This diversity is reflected in Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection, which celebrates the innate human fascination with discovery. Each visitor will encounter extraordinary artworks and artifacts from global cultures that are both familiar and surprising. Louvre Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s gift to the world, and we look forward to welcoming our first visitors,” Mohamed Al Mubarak, the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority said.

Architect Jean Nouvel designed Louvre Abu Dhabi as a museum city using cutting-edge energy-efficient engineering, which has 23 galleries, a temporary 2,000 square metres exhibition space, children’s museum, and waterside restaurant.

Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said that Louvre Abu Dhabi has reinvented the 18th-century premise of the universal museum and merges different ideologies, aesthetics and artistic techniques. “The museum story transports visitors through a history of humanity illuminated by our collection of exceptional treasures,” Rabaté said. The museum will begin an ongoing program featuring special exhibitions in December.

Website www.louvreabudhabi.ae