Brief
Abu Dhabi’s culture chief calls culture a super‑power in exclusive interview
In an exclusive Gulf News interview, the chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism outlines a 10‑20‑year vision linking museums, sport and entertainment.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, told Gulf News that the emirate’s cultural strategy is a "super‑power" aimed at long‑term socio‑economic development.
What happened
During an interview inside the Zayed National Museum, Al Mubarak described a vision that ties together museums such as the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, heritage projects, sport, entertainment and an incoming Disney resort. He said the plan looks 10, 15 and 20 years ahead, linking cultural assets to quality of life, opportunity and social cohesion.
What the reports add
The Gulf News piece notes that Al Mubarak sees museums as "civic spaces" for human connection and that theme parks are "vessels for imagination" that complement heritage sites. He also highlighted a 4,000‑year‑old Magan boat replica on display at the museum as an example of blending past and future.
What was said
"Everything we do here has a long‑term effect," Al Mubarak told Gulf News.
"We are safeguarding culture for future generations, and at the same time we are learning and teaching about other cultures," he added.
How it came about
Al Mubarak’s remarks echo earlier Felo News coverage of Abu Dhabi’s livability agenda, where he highlighted culture, security, education and healthcare as core values attracting people to the emirate (Abu Dhabi leaders stress livability and opportunity in keynote speech).
Key facts
- Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak called culture a super‑power in an exclusive Gulf News interview. (gulfnews.com)
- He said the vision looks 10, 15 and 20 years ahead and links museums, heritage, sport, entertainment and a Disney resort. (gulfnews.com)
- Al Mubarak described museums as civic spaces and theme parks as vessels for imagination. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Inside Abu Dhabi’s 1,000-Year Vision: Museums, Disney Resort and Cultural Superpower Driving Tourism and Growth”
