Dubai Museum celebrates World Heritage Day

The exhibition of photographs provide panoramic views of the Dubai Creek, ancient pottery, archaeological artifacts and prominent UAE nationals with their falcons, offering valuable insights into Dubai's history.

The pictures are a vivid commentary on lifestyle in the Gulf before the oil boom in the 1960's and throws up interesting features of Arab women selling fish at the market, Arab men and their passion for horse-racing and falconry.

Mr. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, DTCM Manager, Heritage Sites said:

"The DTCM has always been at the forefront of reviving and restoring Dubai's art, culture and heritage. A large number of brochures and pamphlets are printed and distributed by the DTCM on Dubai's heritage and the World Heritage Day presents us with another opportunity to remind the younger generation about Dubai's history."

"It is an honour for us to host this exhibition to celebrate World Heritage Day. The Dubai Museum receives a large number of visitors, locals, residents and international tourists. In 2005, the Dubai Museum received 462,696 visitors, increasing by 11 per cent from the previous year," said Ms. Ayesha Mubarak Abdulla Obeid, Manager, Dubai Museum. From January to March 2006, the visitors to Dubai Museum stood at 154,971.

"The rare display of photographs, some of which are being exhibited for the first time, depict Dubai as it was in 1950's," said Mr. Salman A Bushelaibi, Supervisor, Dubai Museum.

As part of the celebrations of the World Heritage Day, screening of special documentaries featuring Dubai culture, live demonstration of the ancient art of rope and perfume-making, baking of the traditional Arabic bread have also been arranged at the courtyard of the museum.

Housed within the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was constructed around 1799 to defend the city against invasion, the museum's diverse collection of exhibits offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage.

Renovated in 1993 the museum features colourful life-size dioramas vividly depict everyday life in the days before the discovery of oil. Galleries recreate scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date farms and desert and marine life. One of the more spectacular exhibits portrays pearl diving, including sets of pearl merchants' weights, and scales.

Also on display are artifacts from several excavations in the emirate, recovered from graves that date back to the third millennium B.C.

The World Heritage Day exhibition will remain on display for a week at the Dubai Museum and visitors can view the photographs and the exhibits from 8-30 a.m. to 8-30 p.m. daily.