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Salama Nasser Al Shamsi announced as director of Qasr Al Hosn

Abu Dhabi - Salama Nasser Al Shamsi, who joined DCT Abu Dhabi in 2009, comes to the role of Director of Qasr Al Hosn to lead its pre-opening team.

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced Salama Nasser Al Shamsi as Director of Qasr Al Hosn. Al Shamsi will oversee the management of the newly renovated and restored Qasr Al Hosn Fort, Abu Dhabi's most significant historic landmark, opening on December 7.
Salama Nasser Al Shamsi, who joined DCT Abu Dhabi in 2009, comes to the role of Director of Qasr Al Hosn to lead its pre-opening team, and she has been instrumental in the development of the project. Prior to this role, Al Shamsi held the position of Senior Project Manager for the Zayed National Museum project, where she was a key member of the team in overseeing its progress, shaping the Museum's narrative, collection strategy and public engagement plans. 
A main component of the new Al Hosn cultural destination, Qasr Al Hosn is the major reference point in the history of Abu Dhabi, telling the story of the city and its people, their history and culture. After a period of extensive conservation and restoration, the historic Fort has been transformed into a museum narrating the history of the emirate. The permanent exhibition in the restored Fort will offer a multi-layered visitor experience to discover and explore Abu Dhabi's history, providing insights into the lives of the rulers and people who lived in the Outer Palace, and exploring the story of the conservation of the Fort. The displays will be brought to life by a permanent collection and interpretation tools ranging from archival materials to films, and interactive experiences.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi said: "We are delighted to introduce Salama Nasser Al Shamsi as Qasr Al Hosn Director. Salama has been a valued member of the DCT Abu Dhabi team for many years. Since joining the Qasr Al Hosn project, she has been instrumental in driving it forward and realising our vision for the monument."
"The Fort is an icon of our past, but also a national monument where people from all walks of life will visit for years to come to learn about our fascinating history and the lives of our ancestors, and I have no doubt that she will succeed in her new role at Qasr Al Hosn as we reintroduce this national treasure to the people of Abu Dhabi."
Salama Nasser Al Shamsi, Director, Qasr Al Hosn commented: "I am thrilled to be part of such a significant institution, one that is truly emblematic of our great emirate and the wider nation. Qasr Al Hosn is the pride of Abu Dhabi and being part of this project has been an incredible experience. The knowledge and expertise that have been poured into this project are remarkable, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with so many experts in their fields, be they archaeologists, historians, conservators, or museum professionals."
In addition to the permanent displays, Qasr Al Hosn will host a varied, year-round calendar of public programming events. These will include archaeological and architectural tours, re-enactments of aspects of daily life and rituals at the Fort, a Majlis programme that will introduce the Fort's visitors to the history and significance of the Majlis, and activities for children and teenagers.
Encompassing two iconic monuments - the Inner Fort, parts of which date back to around 1795, and the Outer Palace, built in the 1940s - Qasr Al Hosn is the historic heart of the city and one of the core components of Al Hosn, a new cultural destination in the heart of downtown Abu Dhabi. Al Hosn is the city's original urban block and comprises Qasr Al Hosn and the National Consultative Council building, the Cultural Foundation, and the House of Artisans.
For more information, please visit www.alhosn.ae