Opening of the new Al Hosn cultural site in Abu Dhabi on December 7

The Al Hosn site will bring together Fort Al Hosn, the Cultural Foundation, the National Advisory Council, as well as the House of Craftsmen. The reopening of Abu Dhabi’s most important historical and cultural monument will be accompanied by several days of celebrations and public events.

The Department of Culture & Tourism of Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced today the long-awaited reopening of Al Hosn, a new cultural complex located in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi, on December 7, 2018.

The site’s location corresponds to the oldest district of the city and will bring together four closely related sites: the historic fort of Qasr Al Hosn, the Cultural Foundation, the headquarters of the National Advisory Council, as well as the brand new Artisans’ House. The official launch will be an opportunity to celebrate Abu Dhabi’s rich history and culture through a vast programme of public events and activities over several days.

Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest and most important heritage site in Abu Dhabi. It includes two emblematic buildings: the inner fort dating from around 1795 and the outer palace which was built in the 1940s.

A true witness to the history of Abu Dhabi, it has been the residence of the ruling family, the seat of government, the seat of the advisory council and the national archives for the past two centuries.

Now transformed into a museum after several years of rigorous and ambitious restoration and conservation work, Qasr Al Hosn is a national monument that traces the development of the city from a village dependent on fishing and pearls in the 18th century to today’s global and modern metropolis, in which the fort is now surrounded by skyscrapers in the heart of the vibrant Downtown district.

The newly renovated premises of the Cultural Foundation will host a varied program of visual arts and entertainment.

Within it will also be the first library in the entire region entirely dedicated to children. To mark its reopening in December, the Foundation’s Visual Arts Centre will present an exhibition event, which will focus on the history of the building as a symbol for local artists.

The Cultural Foundation will reopen in several phases: the first, on December 7, will give access to the Visual Arts Centre, which brings together exhibition halls and art studios. The two remaining wings – a theatre and the children’s library – will open in 2019.