Manarat al Saadiyat and Abu Dhabi Art

Every November, the Abu Dhabi Art Festival attracts art galleries from around the world for a week. More than forty renowned galleries are represented, and in parallel the event Art in Abu Dhabi organizes many cultural events in the form of discussions, conferences and shows, for adults and also for the youngest.

In general the exhibition opens several days and ends on a weekend (Friday and Saturday), during which the general public flows. Abu Dhabi Art is held in Manarat al Saadiyat. The large exhibition hall hosts the galleries, while two other spaces present the temporary exhibitions of the moment, including the exhibition on the development of the island of Saadiyaat, which is almost permanent.

Outside, various commercial stands for the general public with limited artistic interest.

In recent years, access to Abu Dhabi Art was free for the general public, and should remain so for years to come. Ticketing at the reception desk distributes access badges for free after taking some personal information such as the telephone number.

At the heart of the Saadiyat Cultural District, Manarat Al Saadiyat is primarily a cultural center dedicated to exhibitions (15,000 square meters) and the live performances with an auditorium.

Next to the main building, a smaller, dark, dune-shaped building appears. This is the pavilion that the United Arab Emirates assembled in Shanghai during the 2010 World Expo. The building was then dismantled, brought to Abu Dhabi, and re-assembled on Saadiyat Island. Today it serves on various occasions for cultural events.

The main hall has some works, a bookshop, a café and an exhibition of handicrafts.

Manara al Saadiyat is located in Abu Dhabi on the island of Saadiyat. It is easily accessible from the main highway. It has a dedicated car park (a large temporary car park is open during the Abu Dhabi Art Festival) and is serviced by the Saadiyat bus line.

On-site coffee is available, and the Fanr restaurant (accessible from the permanent car park, or from the lobby on the right) serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes indoors or on the terrace. It has a simple card with alcoholic refreshments.

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