“Congratulations on the successes of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the progress of the Saadiyat Cultural District (SCD).
For two days, we have seen with our eyes, heard with our ears and felt with our hands the reality of this project.”
Inspired by the forward-thinking philosophy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the SCD champions the idea that a nation’s true wealth lies in its cultural and historical legacy. His Excellency Mohamed Al Mubarak offers insights into how this unique enclave is poised to ignite creativity, enhance social harmony and foster intellectual advancement.
The SCD showcases a stunning array of cultural and educational institutions within a short stroll, including the renowned Louvre Abu Dhabi, the innovative Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the historic Zayed National Museum.
These institutions, among others, are interconnected by a shared mission to advance research, development, and cultural connectivity. This groundbreaking district is designed to honour and integrate the diverse heritages of humanity, providing a fresh perspective on cultural representation.
H.E. Al Mubarak discusses the SCD’s integral role in Abu Dhabi’s broader goals for economic diversification and social enrichment, highlighting its potential to significantly boost GDP and generate numerous employment opportunities.
More than just a cultural destination, the SCD is a vibrant hub for global collaboration, inclusivity and sustainable practices. This compelling interview offers a glimpse into the SCD’s ambitious mission to break down barriers, cultivate understanding and establish Abu Dhabi as a leading cultural beacon. Readers are invited to join the B&FT’s Ebenezer Chike Adjei Njoku in this interview to uncover the full scope of this transformative project.
B&FT: For two days, we’ve witnessed its development first–hand. Could you share the rationale behind the Saadiyat Cultural District (SCD)? When was the idea born, and how has it developed over time? Could you provide some timelines?
Chairman: The Saadiyat Cultural District starts with a belief in the power of culture to harness creativity and shape the future. This belief didn’t begin with the creation of the Saadiyat Cultural District, but years before the formation of the UAE. In the early 60s to the early 70s, this idea was integral to the creation and formation of the UAE by the late Sheikh Zayed. He understood that culture is the building block of any forward-thinking society. Before the UAE was even formed, he established the first museum – the Al Ain Museum.
What’s special about the Al Ain Museum is that it mirrors what we are trying to create here. It’s a museum about connectivity and how our world is interconnected. It showcases the roots that connected our peoples from ancient Asia to ancient Africa, highlighting that we are a bridge.
Fast forward to today, we are mirroring this connectivity within our museums. The Saadiyat Cultural District celebrates humanity, our cultures, heritages and artists equally. It’s a place where we come together, fostering understanding and acceptance. We believe in the power of culture for the future, creating a district where people live, work, play and connect, continuously evolving as part of a new cultural revolution.
This revolution will showcase art, history, heritage and culture in new ways, properly and equally representing all. Whether it’s the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the Guggenheim, we ensure fair representation regardless of race, gender or geographical location. We aim to avoid misrepresentation that has occurred elsewhere. The National Museum reflects our history, going back millions of years with fossils and the earliest human migrations from Africa 330,000 years ago, forming communities and societies here. This land has always been a bridge between East and West.
We are proud of our educational message to the youth, emphasising partnership and shedding light on our cultural heritage. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first asset to come to life, is a universal museum over seven years old. It takes visitors on a thematic voyage through the history of art, connecting humanity through themes like motherhood, religion and appreciation.
Africa is integral to our story and every museum’s story, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Africa, especially places like Ghana and Nigeria, is reclaiming its narrative, helping the world understand its true history and creativity. This is reflected in our museums, showcasing global empires side by side, including the kingdoms of Benin [and Ashanti] and the kings and queens of Africa alongside other regions.
The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a contemporary art museum, represents art from the 1960s to today, equally highlighting artists from all over the world. We ensure fair representation of artists who were previously misrepresented due to race, gender or geography.
Our partnerships ensure we represent voices accurately, acquiring collections from national museums and artists globally. Since opening seven years ago, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has grown from less than 1,000 pieces of art to over 6,000, sourced from all over the world. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi features 970 artworks from 429 artists across 70 countries.
Ghana has been a principal advocator of creativity in this district. Regardless of origin, everyone finds a part of their identity here through art, sculpture, music or performance. The Abrahamic Family House, designed by Adjaye & Associates, reflects religious coexistence and creativity, mirroring examples in Ghana and Nigeria. This creative movement is global, encompassing Africa and Asia, and it’s time for the Global South to tell its story. We are thankful to be a part of this cultural narrative.
B&FT: How does the SCD align with the Emirates’ broader goals of economic development through diversification and social development through cultural investment?
Chairman: From an economic perspective, the Saadiyat Cultural District is more than just an economic contributor. We are currently investing significantly in our infrastructure, with close to 21 billion Dirhams allocated for acquisitions and development. This is part of our Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) strategy.
Through our CCI strategy, we aim to contribute over 30 billion Dirhams to our GDP by 2030. This sector will create thousands of jobs and opportunities for young creative minds to thrive in fields like music, fashion, design and hospitality. We see it as a building block of a future economy, one that will grow and evolve. The CCI is vital to the world’s future, encompassing areas like gaming and graphic design. These museums serve as conduits for creativity, places where minds can flourish and produce new ideas.
B&FT: How will this project create opportunities for residents, particularly artists, entrepreneurs and young people, to participate in and benefit from the cultural economy?
We provide subsidies for artists and offer studio spaces at nominal rates to support their growth. Our goal is to create an environment where all people can thrive, not just UAE residents. Currently, we have artists and cultural practitioners from all over the world who have moved here and developed their art in Abu Dhabi.
What’s beautiful about the UAE is that 75 to 80 percent of the population comes from all over the world. This diversity creates a cross-pollination of cultures, fostering understanding and innovation. We see infusions of African and Arabic music, and African and Arabic cuisine, creating something brand new. It’s amazing to witness this cultural integration forming one cohesive fabric, regardless of its origins.
So yes, we view the Saadiyat Cultural District as a key component of our economic diversification and social cohesiveness. It is something we continuously focus on and aim to grow.
B&FT: What is the unique selling point of the SCD? What makes the SCD unique compared to other cultural development projects in the region and internationally? How will it establish Abu Dhabi as a unique cultural destination?
Chairman: The unique selling point of the Saadiyat Cultural District (SCD) lies in its collection and collaboration. Within a 10-minute walking radius, you have a diverse array of cultural and educational institutions. These institutions are interconnected through their curatorial intent, serving as centres of research, development and connectivity.
To understand the distinctiveness of SCD, consider the scale and scope of these institutions. They are colossal, yet they convey profoundly human messages that ground you in the broader context of humanity. When you visit these museums, you cannot help but feel part of something larger than yourself. This experience fosters a sense of unity and diminishes prejudices.
For example, imagine walking through the Louvre Abu Dhabi and encountering exhibits that celebrate diverse cultures and heritages. You see African art placed alongside European masterpieces, and ancient Asian artefacts displayed next to Middle Eastern treasures. This equal representation encourages visitors to appreciate and respect different backgrounds.
The unique aspect of SCD is its potential to change perspectives. After experiencing these inclusive exhibitions, it becomes difficult to hold onto biased thoughts. The immersive environment celebrates cultural diversity and fosters understanding and acceptance. By appreciating someone else’s culture or background, visitors leave with a broader, more inclusive worldview.
SCD is designed with the future in mind. Its goal is to educate and inspire the next generation, helping to eliminate biases and prejudices. Through collaborative efforts and innovative exhibits, SCD aims to create a cultural hub that not only showcases global heritage but also promotes social cohesion and intellectual growth.
This distinct approach positions Abu Dhabi as a unique cultural hub. By integrating education, research and cultural celebration within a single district, SCD offers an unparalleled experience. Its commitment to inclusivity and collaboration sets it apart from other cultural projects, both regionally and internationally.
B&FT: How crucial are partnerships for the SCD’s success?
Chairman: It’s imperative, and if you allow me, I’d like to give you an example of how initiatives like this come to be and the responses they generate. Today, in the Saadiyat Cultural District and at the Abrahamic Family House, there is a remarkable atmosphere of coexistence. On Fridays, residents and schoolchildren hear the Muslim call to prayer and the Friday sermon. On Sundays, they hear the church bells for Sunday mass. During Yom Kippur, they hear the Jewish horn, and on Shabbat, they see the Jewish community gathering to pray in the synagogue.
This daily interaction with different faiths eliminates many biases because people are no longer seeing differences but rather commonalities. They witness individuals in their human form, practising their beliefs harmoniously.
I believe the media often doesn’t highlight such examples of coexistence and peaceful living, but they do exist. This can be seen in many parts of Africa and the Arabian world. We believe that actions speak much louder than words. When you come here and experience this environment, you witness human action first-hand. The hope is that any negative preconceptions will be transformed into positive reflections through this experience.
The Abrahamic Family House exemplifies our commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance among different faiths. By showcasing this peaceful coexistence, we aim to set a global example of how diverse communities can live together harmoniously.
B&FT: Can we expect international artistic collaborations, including those from diverse backgrounds such as Ghanaian artists, through exhibitions and music festivals?
Chairman: Absolutely. Within our collection, we already have fantastic Ghanaian artists, such as El Anatsui. When we acquired his piece, it became one of my favourites, and it was acquired right here in Abu Dhabi during an art fair focused on African galleries and artists. This piece will be one of the highlights of the Guggenheim collection.
More recently, during the UNESCO conference held here in Abu Dhabi on culture and education, I met with the Ghanaian Minister of Culture and Minister of Education. We discussed the importance of infusing culture into education. A declaration was signed here in Abu Dhabi, emphasising how we can infuse culture and share blueprints globally. This is just one example of collaboration, and there’s much more we can do.
We want to work closely with Ghanaian artists. Beyond visual artists and architects, there’s a vast array of Ghanaian cultural content, including music, fashion and design. In January 2025, we will host an All Africa Festival here. This festival will celebrate African culture through concerts, fashion shows, food halls featuring different cuisines, and more. This isn’t just for the African community, which we hold dear; but also for the local and international community living here, who are eager to celebrate and learn more about African culture.
I’m also thrilled to share some exciting news with you. At the Louvre, we host major exhibitions in our temporary exhibition space. In the past, we’ve had remarkable exhibitions, such as an impressionist exhibition and one on the three holy books from the Abrahamic faiths.
The next major exhibition we’re working on, in collaboration with African museums, is the ‘Kings and Queens of Africa’. I’m very excited about this because it will shed light on the rich history of African kingdoms, such as the Kingdom of Benin, through artefacts and art. This exhibition is set to be the signature event of 2025, and I believe it will be an extraordinary experience. I am looking forward to it already.
B&FT: Abu Dhabi’s (real) GDP was US$260.8 billion for 2022. It is projected to reach US$293 billion and US$415.7 billion in 2024 and 2030, respectively. What is the contribution of culture and tourism to this and how much (in nominal terms) do you project it to contribute by 2030?
Chairman: Currently, culture and tourism contribute around five percent of our GDP. We are looking to grow that to close to 10 percent by 2030.
B&FT: How are you ensuring environmental sustainability in the development of the SCD?
Chairman: Sustainability is always critical to everything we are developing. We focus on making our water usage and energy usage more efficient, and we harness the power of nature. For instance, we utilise water and solar energy to generate power. Our theme parks have solar panels that energise close to 42 percent of their operations. Our museums are all LEED certified, ensuring they meet high standards of environmental performance.
We also connect sustainable architecture with our design heritage. Traditional homes used to harness the power of the wind for cooling, and we implement similar strategies. For example, the massive dome in the Saadiyat Cultural District creates a shading structure that makes the interior three to four degrees cooler than the outside, sometimes up to eight degrees cooler. This reduces the need for extensive cooling systems.
The Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum features cones that work as wind towers, bringing in hot air and cooling it from the bottom. The national museum’s design incorporates beautiful wings representing the falcon’s wings, which also function as wind tunnels to recycle air within the museum. So, sustainability is at the forefront of everything we develop.
B&FT: What long-term goals do you hope to achieve by 2030 and beyond?
Chairman: The long-term goal is to continuously create opportunities for young creatives to thrive and shine. We aim to ensure there are platforms for them to grow both creatively and economically. This is the purpose behind everything we do with our cultural strategy. By fostering an environment where young talent can flourish, we contribute to building a robust creative economy that sustains itself well into the future.
B&FT: In a single, impactful statement, what is the most important message you would like to convey about the future of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi and specifically, the SCD?
Chairman: The most important message I would like to convey is that culture has immense power, and cultural collaboration is the way forward. This is my focused answer regarding the future of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi, specifically in the Saadiyat Cultural District.
