ABU DHABI: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the Culture 4 Sustainability Trail, an initiative that invites residents and visitors to Abu Dhabi to learn about the emirate’s successes within cultural sustainability and the preservation of heritage.
The educational trail offers visitors a dynamic programme of workshops, performances, and exhibitions with a curated tour across cultural sites in Abu Dhabi city and Al Ain. The journey provides guests a unique cultural heritage experience with a tailored educational programme that touches upon various themes including environmentally friendly practices.
Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, ‘We are committed to ensuring the continued development of the emirate’s culture and tourism sectors. When visitors embark on the Culture 4 Sustainability Trail, they will learn about the importance of preserving our traditional handicrafts and historicallandmarks. Our culture mandate includes protecting
the many archaeological and historical sites throughout theemirate, including our UNESCO World Heritage Sites.’
The Culture 4 Sustainability Trail includes two routes; the Abu Dhabi Trail and the Al Ain Trail.
The Abu Dhabi Trail starts at the Al Hosn site, with Qasr Al Hosn and the neighbouring House of Artisans and Cultural Foundation. Participants will learn about the restoration and conservation efforts undertaken to preserve the historic Qasr Al Hosn fort, emphasising the importance of protecting cultural heritage in a manner that minimises environmental impact.
The trail then leads to the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, taking in Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat and Berklee Abu Dhabi. It explains how Louvre Abu Dhabi has its own microclimate created by the passive cooling of the building’s dome, which was inspired by designs in local culture and traditional regional architecture.
The Al Ain Trail includes a tour of the Qasr Al Muwaiji fort, Al Ain Oasis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a
remarkable 3000-year-old falaj irrigation system, and Al Jahili Fort, with its sustainable cooling system which uses cold water pipes inside a clay layer to cool the building.
The trail includes Bait Mohammed Bin Khalifa, the home of the late Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan (1909-79) – the father-in-law of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Visitors can enjoy an architectural tour which tells the story of the house and how it was conserved. It concludes with a night at Jebel Hafit Desert Park where visitors can experience sustainable tourism at its best – engaging with nature and appreciating the unique desert ecosystem.
The Culture 4 Sustainability Trail aims to attract visitors of all ages to experience history and heritage, artistic expression and nature.
Source: Emirates News Agency