Residents who have grown up in the capital will be thrilled to hear that the Cultural Foundation and Qasr Al Hosn will be reopening permanently after 10 years. The opening on December 7 will bring back memories of the book fair, which was held in the courtyard, and most vividly, the large library.
More recently, Qasr Al Hosn, which translates to the 'palace fort', has been home to the annual Qasr Al Hosn heritage festival, which started in 2013. Visitors to this festival are treated to a glimpse of what the city looked like before all the high-rises and paved streets.
Built around 1795, the Hosn (fort) was Abu Dhabi’s first permanent structure. In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan built the outer-palace (Qasr), and the ruling family established residence. The founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan built a majlis outside Qasr Al Hosn in 1968 to receive guests and dignitaries in a place with modern conveniences. The majlis then evolved into the National Consultative Council, which facilitated the negotiations around the unification of the Sheikhdoms.
In 1981, the Cultural Foundation opened its doors in the same block: this was the country’s first multi-purpose community centre, comprising the first library, a theatre and an exhibition hall. It established itself as the city’s first destination for lovers of art, culture and literature.
The Foundation’s theatre was the host of many school functions, graduation ceremonies, drama and comedy plays, and on the weekends it was a place to watch films. Between 2009 and 2018, the Cultural Foundation underwent extensive conservation measures, including repairs and rehabilitation. Its much-anticipated reopening will start in December, and will bring two new exhibition halls, an outdoor gallery, and artists’ studios.
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A rendering showing what the aerial view of the restored site will look like. Photo / Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi -
A historic photo of Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Qasr Al Hosn -
Qasr Al Hosn in 2008. Photo: Lauren Lancaster / The National -
An artist rendering of the Qasr Al Hosn fort and surrounding area that gives an impression of what it will look like upon reopening in December. Some elements will re-open in 2019. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
The Qasr Al Hosn Festival in Abu Dhabi in 2014 -
A historic photo of Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Qasr Al Hosn -
An artist rendering of the Qasr Al Hosn fort and surrounding area that gives an impression of what it will look like upon reopening in December. Some elements will re-open in 2019. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
A provided photo from 2014 of the conservation work that’s restoring the historic Qasr Al Hosn buildings. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
An artist rendering of the Qasr Al Hosn fort and surrounding area that gives an impression of what it will look like upon reopening in December. Some elements will re-open in 2019. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
An artist rendering of the Qasr Al Hosn fort and surrounding area that gives an impression of what it will look like upon reopening in December. Some elements will re-open in 2019. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
An artist rendering of the Qasr Al Hosn fort and surrounding area that gives an impression of what it will look like upon reopening in December. Some elements will re-open in 2019. Photo / Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority -
A historic photo of the Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi from the Edward Wilson collection. -
A historic photo of the Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi from the Hermann Burchardt collection. Photo / Hermann Burchardt and Berlin Museum of Ethnography -
Historic photo of the Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi, UAE from the Ronald Codrai collection -
A historic photo of the Qasr Al Hosn fort in Abu Dhabi from the John Wilkinson collection -
Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi circa 1940's. Courtesy Al Ittihad -
Boat making at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival in Abu Dhabi in 2014 -
Qasr Al Hosn in 2008. Photo: Lauren Lancaster / The National -
Qasr Al Hosn in 2008. Photo: Lauren Lancaster / The National -
Qasr Al Hosn in 2008. Photo: Lauren Lancaster / The National -
The construction in 2017. Christopher Pike / The National -
The construction in 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
The Cultural Foundation’s remaining components – a 900 seat theatre and a first-of-its-kind Children’s Library, serving children and young people of all ages – will open in 2019. Public programming in the Qasr Al Hosn fort area will include specialist history, archaeology, and architectural tours, as well as re-enactments of aspects of daily life and rites of passage at the fort. Activities for children will include games and traditional lessons.
Read more: Further details of the art offerings in Qasr Al Hosn
The space between Qasr Al Hosn and Cultural Foundation has been designed with the aim of creating an interactive communal space. This area will contain break-out spaces, water features, and a prayer area.
Opening hours will be 9am to 7pm from Saturday to Thursday and 12pm to 10pm on Friday. The landscape area and the prayer rooms will always be open. Prices and ticketing will be announced soon.
