You can now time-travel into UAE's past in Al Ain

The free cultural programme from May 16 to 18 aims to evoke the history of museums in Abu Dhabi.

If you're a history buff and love nothing more than finding out about the rich past of the UAE, then this one is for you. In celebration of International Museum Day on May 18, the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-Abu Dhabi) is inviting visitors to experience Al Ain's past through a free cultural programme from May 16 to 18.
The experience aims to evoke the history of museums in Abu Dhabi and uncover the link to their future.
The 'Museums by Night' programme will host interactive tours across Al Ain Palace, Al Ain Oasis and Al Ain National Museum. The tours will feature screenings, light installations and other encounters that offer visitors an opportunity to experience the history of the Al Ain National Museum. In addition, visitors will learn more about future museum projects that will continue the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and their relation to recent archaeological excavations and findings.
Two tours will begin at 7.30pm and 9pm from Al Ain Palace Museum, highlighting the origins of archaeology in the region; the late Sheikh Zayed's foresight about the need for a museum to house and preserve these findings; and a film-screening to showcase the first excavations in Al Ain. This will be followed by an Al Ain Palace Museum trail and visit to the Eco-Centre to offer an experience into cultural sites of Al Ain.
The programme will continue at Al Ain Oasis with a light installation through the Oasis' palms to highlight the importance of palms as an artistic inspiration, followed by a screening of Rain of Light and a Wannah Live Performance. Visitors will then have a chance to self-explore and make their own discoveries across the Al Ain Oasis. The tour will then continue at the Al Ain National Museum galleries, before concluding at the Sultan Fort for a virtual tour of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's ongoing exhibition, The Creative Act: Process, Performance, Presence.
This is how you can take a guided tour to Al Ain's glorious past
Two tours begin at 7:30pm and 9:00pm from Al Ain Palace Museum
An Al Ain Palace Museum trail and visit to the Eco Centre take visitors to cultural sites of Al Ain
A light installation through Al Ain Oasis' palms highlight the importance of palms as an artistic inspiration
Tour through Al Ain National Museum galleries
It concludes at the Sultan Fort for a virtual tour of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's ongoing exhibition, The Creative Act: Process, Performance, Presence.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com