A short drive from Abu Dhabi city centre and the popular Beach Resorts in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation sits nestled in the shadow of the city’s oldest stone fortress Qasr al Hosn. Home to UAE’s National Archives and an active Community and Arts centre, the significance of the Cultural Foundation is similar to that of its famous neighbour Qasr al Hosn in its role in preserving the country’s unique history and traditions.
Built by the city’s visionary leader Sheikh Zayed and opened in 1981, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation is a modern institution that reflects the region’s architectural traditions. The Islamic architectural influence can be seen throughout the four-story facility which includes curved colonnades, north-facing skylights in the roof of the exhibition hall, beautiful motif tile decorations and the striking eight-point star flowerbed lain across the paved central courtyard. Indeed the mysticism of Arabia is as evident here as it is in Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort, Abu Dhabi!
Open twice daily in the morning and late evening visitors can spend a day admiring the Foundation’s exhibits that include a model of 1959 Abu Dhabi city, old coins, antique doors, dhow models, musical instruments and a vast collection of black-and-white photographs and Islamic art. A functional research facility, the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation has a two million-volume capacity National Library and boasts a 1000-seat theatre, lecture rooms, meeting rooms, and a large exhibition hall making it the chosen venue for many cultural festivals including exhibitions, lectures, concerts, fairs and the prestigious Emirates Film Festival.
On a regular day however visitors can enjoy a movie at the facility’s cinema, watch Emirati women make traditional crafts at the Heritage Corner and grab a snack at the Delma Corner, a non-profit coffee shop which hosts regular cookery classes and art appreciation workshops. An institution committed to uplifting Arabian traditions, the foundation launched two ambitious projects in 2008 Sounds of Arabia and Turathana which bring together artisans and musicians from across the Middle East to promote the region’s traditional Oriental music and local handicrafts.
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.Google+
