Measures to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of any country are based on two key objectives.
First, to identify and define the elements of different areas of heritage in the country. This is done by compiling one or more inventories of these elements and updating them regularly with information and developments with the participation of individuals, groups and communities who practice the heritage or who are involved in preserving it.
Second: promoting the heritage, disseminating information about it, and raising awareness of its importance through publications in the appropriate media.
Among the most important of these publications is the Heritage Registry. The Registry is comprised of detailed inventories of every major element of intangible cultural heritage including: name, range, practitioners, features, threats (if any), and the role society in preserving it.
The Heritage Registry is also a key criteria for inscribing any element of heritage on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in accordance with Articles 11 and 12 of its Convention.
Furthermore, the Heritage Registry is an important factor in the sustainable development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and an important means of ensuring the broadest possible community participation in preserving our heritage and passing it onto future generations.
It is also important for the effective implementation of cultural plans, policies, and programs in the Emirate.
- Saadiyat Cultural District
- CulturAll
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DISCOVER
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EXPERIENCE
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LEARN
Family & Education Resources
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UNESCO
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Al Ain Oases
Al Ain Oasis reflects what agriculture in this region has been like for millennia
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Bida Bint Saud
The area was an important stop on a possible caravan route extending from Al Ain to the north of the United Arab Emirates
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Hafit Tombs
This ancient caravan site features Bronze Age tombs and a rare Iron Age mud-brick building and irrigation system
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Hili sites
An elaborate falaj system and one of the country’s earliest mosques make this an important historic site
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Al-Ayyala
Al-Ayyala is an embodiment of United Arab Emirates culture and Emirati values and heritage
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Al-Azi
Al-Azi is inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
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Majlis
a cultural and social space
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Al-Razfa
a traditional performing art of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates
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Al-Sadu
traditional weaving skills in the United Arab Emirates
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Al-Taghrooda
traditional Bedouin chanted poetry in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman
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Falconry
a living human heritage
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Gahwa (Arabic coffee)
a symbol of generosity
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- Educators Resource
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Heritage Register
- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
- Al Ah’hlah
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Cultural Calendar
- Al Qattara Murals
- Al Mujamma
- Art installations by Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi
- Artistic Development Exhibition Program
- Curatorial Development Exhibition Program
- Emotions! The New Art Adventure
- Experience Mars
- Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2022
- Arabic Manuscripts Conference
- Building With The Earth Exhibition
- Khaleejiness Exhibition
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 Richard Mille Art Prize
- A Touch of Heritage
- The Spirit of the Place
- Evening in Al Ain Palace Museum
- Date Harvesting Season
- The Little Guide of Delma Museum
- Al Qattara Lab
- Al Qattara Film Lab
- Al Qattara Murals 2023
- Alwaha Cinema
- Manar Abu Dhabi - Artist Assistant Programme
- Winter at Al Dhafra Fort
- Al Ain Traditional Arts Days
- Cassette Concert at Al Jahili Fort
- Cinema Al Bait
- Al Ayyala Studio
- Al Qattara Art Workshops
- Summer Camp at Al Dhafra Fort
- Building with Earth Workshop
- Gate of History
- Summer Camp 2024
- Bait Al Oud Lessons at Al Qattara Arts Centre
- Calligraphy Workshop
- Cheeseboard Resin Workshop
- Drawing and Painting Workshop
- Mosaic Masterpieces
- Oil Painting Techniques
- Oud
- Piano
- Pottery Painting
- Shoe-Making Workshop
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- The game of Al Karabi
- Girls’ Doll-making Game
- The game of hatha bayt mennou
- The game of Maryahanat al badw
- The game of Al Dahrouj
- The game of Al Suwair
- The game of es es see
- The game of Gol tabat
- The game of Haqallah
- The game of Humarat Al Qaylah
- The game of meen darabak
- The game of Motor Bou Ajal
- The game of Tug of War
- Wrestling Match, The Wrestler
- Al Ah’hlah
-
-
- Al Qattara Murals
- Al Mujamma
- Art installations by Emirati artist Zeinab Al Hashemi
- Artistic Development Exhibition Program
- Curatorial Development Exhibition Program
- Emotions! The New Art Adventure
- Experience Mars
- Abu Dhabi Art Fair 2022
- Arabic Manuscripts Conference
- Building With The Earth Exhibition
- Khaleejiness Exhibition
- Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 Richard Mille Art Prize
- A Touch of Heritage
- The Spirit of the Place
-
- Evening in Al Ain Palace Museum
- Date Harvesting Season
- The Little Guide of Delma Museum
- Al Qattara Lab
- Al Qattara Film Lab
- Al Qattara Murals 2023
- Alwaha Cinema
- Manar Abu Dhabi - Artist Assistant Programme
- Winter at Al Dhafra Fort
- Al Ain Traditional Arts Days
- Cassette Concert at Al Jahili Fort
- Cinema Al Bait
-
- Al Ayyala Studio
- Al Qattara Art Workshops
- Summer Camp at Al Dhafra Fort
- Building with Earth Workshop
- Gate of History
- Summer Camp 2024
- Bait Al Oud Lessons at Al Qattara Arts Centre
- Calligraphy Workshop
- Cheeseboard Resin Workshop
- Drawing and Painting Workshop
- Mosaic Masterpieces
- Oil Painting Techniques
- Oud
- Piano
- Pottery Painting
- Shoe-Making Workshop
-