The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) signed a contract with the British Gallery today, 20 th June 2018, relabeling a gallery in the British Gallery after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE.

Building upon the lengthy background of collaboration and cooperation in between both organisations, and In a suitable tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed's heritage, The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East explores the background of farming between East and the resulting social, cultural, and financial progress that created the modern world. The arrangement was authorized by HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi and Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Gallery, and gone to by HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi with HE Sulaiman Hamid Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Sir Richard Lambert, Chairman of the Trustees of the British Gallery, in an event held at the British Museum in London.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi commented: "In this year, the Year of Zayed, as we integrate as a nation to commemorate the heritage of the Founding Father, we see no more of a fitting tribute to his cultural vision for the UAE and his mission to construct bridges between nations across the world. The renaming of this gallery, one that explores the history and heritage of the Middle East, and the lasting effect that an industry can have on the world, highlights the considerable duty that Sheikh Zayed played in the preservation and protection of our unique social heritage, and his understanding of its vital significance in the growth of a thriving culture. We are thrilled to build on our long background of partnership with the British Gallery as part of DCT Abu Dhabi's objective to develop lasting social collaborations with leading institutions worldwide."

Hartwig Fischer, Director of the British Museum commented: "We are honoured that DCT Abu Dhabi has actually chosen to name the gallery after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The British Gallery has to do with the interconnectivity of cultures, and this gallery shows the influence of the introduction of farming Middle East and its infect Europe, therefore forming the modern world. This support is a reflection of the long-lasting collective partnership we show DCT Abu Dhabi and is all the more significant in this vital year for the UAE".

The renaming of The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East recognizes Sheikh Zayed's lifelong commitment to heritage and culture. An active advocate of the first archaeological excavations in the Emirates over 50 years ago, he was accountable for the founding of the Al Ain Museum, the oldest in the UAE, at the time of the development of the Federation. A believer in global and inter-governmental cultural dialogue, Sheikh Zayed likewise constructed cultural links with countries around the globe. Located on the top floor of the British Gallery, The Sheikh Zayed bin
Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East explores the development of farming between 10,000-- 800 BC.

This agreement builds upon the British Gallery's history of cooperation with DCT Abu Dhabi; given that 2009, DCT Abu Dhabi has actually functioned collaboratively with the British Museum on the development of Zayed National Museum, the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural District supporting the growth of the gallery's narrative, collection, and sources training. Along with the renaming of 'The Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Gallery for Europe and the Middle East', the arrangement will certainly additionally consist of the growth of a car loan structure that will certainly see crucial items from the British Gallery be displayed at Zayed National Gallery after its opening. The unique objects will be on display screen, complementing the future gallery's irreversible collection.

Zayed National Museum will be the pre-eminent national gallery in the UAE, noting an additional important social landmark for the nation. The museum will certainly inform the story of the UAE through the life and success of Sheikh Zayed, his marriage of the UAE, the deep background of the region, and its cultural link and significance across the globe. Zayed National Museum will be the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Cultural Area, a growth that is unprecedented in both dimension and range. Collectively, Zayed National Museum and its Saadiyat Cultural Area neighbours, Louvre Abu Dhabi and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, will certainly use UAE Nationals, residents and tourists alike involving and genuine social experiences unlike any type of in the region.

DCT Abu Dhabi and the British Gallery have teamed up on numerous exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, including Splendours of Mesopotamia in 2011 and Background of the World in 100 objects in 2014.