A City Where Heritage and Tradition Are Treasured
By Caterina Katya Marletta
As the golden morning light caresses the waves lapping the shores and the sinuous, ever-changing dunes of Abu Dhabi, it feels as if one is witnessing the city’s birth, gently embraced by both the sea and the desert, suspended between history and modernity. Its name preserves an ancient legend: a gazelle guided the hunters of the Bani Yas tribe, a confederation of nomadic Bedouin clans, to a freshwater spring on an island, giving rise to the first settlement. Long before skyscrapers reshaped its skyline, Abu Dhabi was a village of fishermen, merchants, and pearl divers. Divers plunged into the waters with simple tools — a nose clip (Al‑Fatam), a rope tied around the waist (Al‑Yaraf), a netted bag (Al‑Daïn or Al‑Saafah). Even then, the city possessed a distinctive light: dignity, resilience, and a memory of a people safeguarding their identity.
In the twentieth century, the advent of “black gold” transformed everything: prosperity rose from scarcity, ambition from isolation. It is thanks to the foresight of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, that Bedouin wisdom became a global vision, making Abu Dhabi not only the capital but also a living symbol of unity, innovation, and hope.
Day by day, the city embodies a balance between past and future. Its skyline shimmers between skyscrapers and sea, while the spirit of the old pearl village lingers in the salty air and the quiet of the evenings. At the heart of it all stands the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, welcoming worshippers and visitors from every culture and tongue, embodying tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and communal strength — values that make Abu Dhabi unique worldwide.
The beating heart of cultural life lies on Saadiyat Island, where the International Cultural District offers unparalleled artistic and educational experiences. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its dome filtering light like a cascade of stars, engages in dialogue with the Zayed National Museum — scheduled to open in December — and other cutting-edge institutions, creating an ecosystem of history, memory, and innovation. The district also hosts the Natural History Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House, designed by David Adjaye, TeamLab Phenomena, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, which provides artist residencies, innovative exhibitions, and educational programmes.
Academia and culture intertwine with international education: NYU Abu Dhabi, the Sorbonne, and other institutions enrich the district with academic and artistic programmes, workshops, and performances. Concerts, exhibitions, and significant events animate the city, showcasing a confident, vibrant cosmopolitan identity. In the realm of creativity, it would be impossible to overlook the imminent Abu Dhabi Art 2025, which will celebrate its 17th edition from 19 to 23 November 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring over 140 galleries from more than 35 countries and consolidating the city as a global platform for art and culture.
Abu Dhabi is also a destination for sport and entertainment: Yas Island pulses with energy during the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Ferrari World’s rollercoasters, the immersive experiences of Warner Bros. World, and the future Disney Park, positioning the emirate as an international hub for premier events. The city promotes innovation and sustainability: innovative city initiatives, digital governance, and the vision of Masdar City demonstrate how renewable energy, low-consumption buildings, cycle paths, and intelligent urban planning can marry functionality with beauty.
The year 2026 will be the “Year of the Family” under the UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the family’s central role as the fulcrum of society and communal cohesion. Abu Dhabi maintains a constant dialogue with the other emirates. Abu Dhabi holds a continuous dialogue with Dubai and the other emirates of the federation, coordinating economic development, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives. In particular, Abu Dhabi will collaborate with Dubai to build the national railway network. In the future, a high-speed rail link will connect the two cities, creating a corridor of commerce, culture, and innovation. The other emirates — Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah — also take part in this process of integration, contributing to the country’s harmonious development and federal cohesion.
When the evening falls, Abu Dhabi changes its attire: along the Corniche, joggers and families stroll along the illuminated waterfront, while the work of fishermen blends with the rhythm of urban life. Luxury cars glide past historic forts, and cafés, galleries, and markets enrich every alleyway with culture. The call to prayer mingles with the sound of waves and distant laughter, while lights shimmer on the water, reflecting towers that rise from the sea like modern minarets. Abu Dhabi appears eternal — a city where time slows, culture meets technology, and history guides progress. From the first settlement led by a gazelle to the thriving metropolis of today, the city carries forward the same spirit that shaped its past, weaving tradition and vision seamlessly into the future, telling a story of courage, resilience, and the enduring dreams of its people.
Caterina Katya Marletta
