(4 April 2016)
The Tourism Development & Investment Company, the developer of the Saadiyat Cultural District, hosted a delegation of 15 French ambassadors and consuls based in the Middle East, representatives from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the staff of the French embassy in Abu Dhabi on a tour of the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site. The visit comes during the regional meeting of the ambassadors in the UAE.
The tour, which included senior representatives from TDIC, the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Agence France Museum (AFM), was headed by His Excellency Saif Saeed Ghobash, TCA Abu Dhabi’s Director General and Mr. Sufian H. Al Marzooqi, TDIC’s Chief Executive Officer.
The visit included access to the museum’s distinctive dome, through which light passes in unique patterns resulting in a ‘rain of light’ effective, envisioned by its architect Jean Nouvel. The delegation were also briefed on Louvre Abu Dhabi’s latest developments, including preparations for the removal of barriers that will result in strategic flooding of key areas, which once completed will cause the museum to appear as though it was a floating island. Once completed, Louvre Abu Dhabi will feature Permanent Galleries, a Temporary Gallery, a Children’s Museum and an auditorium, in addition to its rich array of artworks, which are expected to attract visitors from all around the world.