Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced that Al Shindagha Museum opened its doors to visitors in Q1 2019. The museum represents the first phase of the ambitious Dubai Historical District, DHD, project and was developed in collaboration between Dubai Culture, which will manage the museum’s content and operations, Dubai Municipality, DM, and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Tourism.
Al Shindagha Museum is a world-class heritage museum that connects Emiratis, residents, and visitors to the rich heritage of the UAE, embracing traditional values and revealing powerful continuities between past and contemporary Emirati identity. It invites visitors to discover both tangible and intangible reminders of the UAE’s captivating past through innovative exhibitions, organised events, and specialised public-learning programmes, reflecting the Authority’s mandates to enhance Dubai’s cultural offering as well as preserve Emirati heritage and present it to the audience.
Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Chairman of Dubai Culture, said, “The opening of Al Shindagha Museum commemorates the historical city of Dubai and our ancestors’ footprints to ensure they continue inspiring future generations, strengthening their sense of pride in their country and heritage. This major landmark allows us to spread our rich heritage and introduce it to visitors, underlining our vigorous efforts to safeguard Emirati heritage, in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The Museum will serve as an effective addition to the Dubai Historical District and a major attraction for visitors, providing deep insights, not only on Dubai’s history but also the UAE’s rich heritage.”
Mohammed Al Murr, Chairman of the Dubai Historical District Development Committee, said, “Al Shindagha Museum reflects the wise leadership’s keen interest in preserving our cultural identity, which is inspired by our history and reflected in our heritage, customs, and traditions, especially as it is located in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood. The museum invites all community segments to visit and get a glimpse into Dubai’s development and transformation that allowed it to reach its leading position. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recognises the significance of the Dubai Historical District, which is why he saw it necessary to implement such a massive project to preserve it by making it an open museum that provides knowledge to our youth and complements their sense of belonging, while offering tourists a distinctive museum experience.”
Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General at Dubai Culture, commented, “While providing nationals and residents with connections to their own past in addition to new experiences and family activities, Al Shindagha Museum will also cater to tourists who seek authentic experiences, unique programming and events, a range of cultural experiences, and high-quality facilities. We are confident that it will enhance cultural tourism in line with our leadership’s vision.”
One of the highlights of the new museum is the Perfume House, which is home to a multi-sensory perfume experience that showcases traditional and industrial perfume-making techniques that highlight local excellence. The Perfume House will invite visitors to explore Emirati culture via scent as well as the heritage that stems from perfumes which played an integral role in trade and exchange activities that made Dubai prosper in Emirati hospitality and in the personal lives of the nation’s citizens.
‘The Dubai Creek: Birth of a City’ is another key pavilion of the museum, serving as a starting point for visitors by introducing them to the history of Dubai through an immersive journey that will encompass artefacts and archival photography.it will also chart Dubai’s development into the thriving metropolis that it is today and showcase how the city’s leaders, both past and present, were essential in providing the vision behind this extraordinary expansion.