Louvre Abu Dhabi welcomed 30,000 visitors, 227 artists and performers and numerous VIPs and official visits during its opening celebrations last week. The museum opened to the public on November 11.
"Welcoming thousands of visitors to Louvre Abu Dhabi during the opening week has been an honour," said Manuel Rabate, the museum's director. "Walking under the dome and seeing the rain of light for the first time is an awe-inspiring experience, and a dramatic backdrop for the multicultural performances and concerts. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s opening week has been characterised by a truly joyful, creative atmosphere, which has inspired Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors."
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French artist M performs during the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Museum Reflections by Groups F light show during the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
French artist M performs during the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Visitors walk past the Walking Man, On a Column sculpture by artist Auguste Rodin on the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi on November 11, 2017. Christopher Pike / The National -
Visitors sit at the restaurant on the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Visitors in the boutique on opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
A traditional dhow sails past Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Visitors taking pictures at the opening day of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
A visitor poses outside on the opening day of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Members of the Awa Troupe of Sanghan arrive during the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Museum Reflections by Groups F light show during the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National -
Visitors attend the opening day at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
During its opening celebrations, the museum presented 25 events by 227 artists across four days of public performances, including choreography by Lucinda Childs and Lemi Ponifasio; traditional Emirati Al Ayaala; Chinese and Dogon parades; a music video montage of found TV footage by Emirati artist Hind Mezaina; and other multicultural music, dance and art performances.
Residents, tourists and delegations visited Louvre Abu Dhabi throughout the opening week, exploring its universal collections and architecture for the first time. Around one million people visited its website during the week, and the museum registered more than 1,100 new members of its Art Club membership programme.
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Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the universal museum on Saadiyat Island contains 12 chapters in the galleries, which exhibit art and artefacts from ancient times to the present day. It also offers special exhibition spaces, a Children’s Museum, auditorium, restaurants, retail and a research centre. Surrounded by the sea, the buildings are connected by waterfront promenades beneath the museum’s intricate dome.
To date, Louvre Abu Dhabi has acquired more than 600 artworks, exhibited alongside 300 works on loan from 13 leading French institutions.
