Abu Dhabi: The Louvre Connection

Though the world is filled with many different cultures, it is united by the thread of human creativity. And it is this aspect that the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum, which opened its doors on November 11, 2017, touches upon. A decade after it was conceptualised, the museum, built as a collaborative effort between the French government and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, opens with an inaugural exhibition entitled ‘Travelling Shapes and Colours’. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, located on Saadiyat Island, is a ‘museum city’ that focusses on Arabic and contemporary design. The 12 galleries it houses have displays ranging from prehistoric artefacts (‘The First Villages’ in Gallery 1) to contemporary artworks that highlight universal themes and influences of the world (‘A Global Stage’ in Gallery 12). Surrounded by the sea, the buildings beneath the dome are connected by waterfront promenades. Other than the galleries, there are special exhibition halls, a Children’s Museum, a 270-seat auditorium, restaurants, and a research centre. Admission cost: AED 60 per adult (above 22 years); open 10am to 8pm; louvreabudhabi.ae