Crowds brave rain to celebrate Louvre anniversary
abu dhabi — Braving bad weather, visitors flocked to Louvre Abu Dhabi on Sunday to mark the first anniversary celebrations of the one-of-a-kind museum in the region.
From a six-time visitor to the iconic landmark of the UAE to tourists from India and Italy, several people descended on the Capital to be part of the celebrations.
Crowds lined up on Sadiyaat Island to attend celebratory activities despite unexpected thunder storms.
However, the much-anticipated Dua Lipa concert of the British singer, for which the tickets were sold out long before the anniversary day, was cancelled due to inclement weather.
In a tweet, Louvre Abu Dhabi said: “Ticket holders should keep their tickets until further notice. We will update ticket holders in due course.”
When the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the public on November 11, 2017, it was one of the most anticipated moments in the entire Arab region as well as for art connoisseurs across the world.
The date will forever be embedded in the history of the UAE, as UAE became the first and only nation to open this world-class museum, outside of France, since the opening of Louvre Museum in Paris in 1793.
Paula, who is visiting Abu Dhabi from Rome, Italy, told Khaleej
“It is much better than the museums in Europe, especially in terms of the organisation. And every masterpiece is well illuminated.”Paula added that she felt a sense of mixed cultures and coexistence at the museum.
Another pair of visitors, a father and son, Namit and Aryan Goenka, who arrived from Surat, India, said that Louvre Abu Dhabi is “unlike any place one can imagine”.
“We have been to the Louvre Museum in Paris, but Louvre Abu Dhabi is not what we expected at all, it really surpassed our imagination. You can feel the mix of culture in this place, and this embodies what Abu Dhabi is all about — a city that respects and welcomes all people.”
Ciel, from Paris, France, said she has visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi six times since its opening date.
“Every time I come here, I find and learn something new and different,” she said. “There is something about this place that brings a sense of joy, contentment and peace.” She said that her favourite artwork is Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait, La Belle Ferronnière, which dates back to 1490.
Ciel added that she and “every
other art lover” in the UAE is now patiently waiting for the Salvator Mundi, another artwork painted by the Italian painter. “To have this artwork in the UAE, is truly spectacular and I can only imagine what the museum will be like on the day of its reveal. It will be another historic moment.”
Due to the current inclement weather in Abu Dhabi we have cancelled the Dua Lipa concert at Louvre Abu Dhabi this evening. Health and safety of our visitors is our priority. Ticket holders should keep their tickets until further notice. We will update ticket holders in due course.” Louvre Abu Dhabi