Dubai: Over half a million UAE residents and tourists visited museums and heritage sites in 2021 – News
The total number of guided tours carried out by the Authority in museums and heritage sites reached 9,731
Al Shindagha Museum. Photo: Supplied
Cultural assets have shown a remarkable recovery after the pandemic: Dubai Culture
Dubai’s cultural assets, including museums, heritage sites and public libraries, attracted over 521,000 visitors in 2021.
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) revealed figures on Tuesday, saying the performance of its cultural assets in Dubai showed a remarkable recovery after a difficult year imposed by the repercussions of Covid-19 on the world.
Etihad Museum. Photo: Supplied
In 2021, the total number of visits to these sites was 521,753; heritage sites topped the list with 50% of total visitors, followed by libraries with 39% and museums with 11%.
A Dubai Culture press release said a survey conducted by Dubai showed that Dubai’s museums, heritage sites and public libraries continue to receive visits from UAE citizens, residents and tourists.
Muna Faisal Algurg. Photo: Supplied
Muna Faisal Algurg, director of the museums department and acting CEO of the culture and heritage sector at Dubai Culture, said the government department has adopted an effective methodology to address the challenges through digital offerings such as virtual tours. and workshop activities, and educational lectures. on these sites.
“After the period of confinement, Dubai Culture has succeeded in reviving the cultural movement in the emirate and keeping the public in touch with the history of Dubai and its cultural monuments,” he explained.
Al Fahidi. Photo: Supplied
“Tours to Dubai’s cultural sites are on the way to a full recovery”
Algurg said the performance of museums and heritage sites in the emirate are on the way to full recovery as museums around the world are still suffering from the repercussions of the pandemic.
According to a report published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 90% of museums around the world have closed during the pandemic and 13% were at risk of closing permanently.
Algurg explained: “At Dubai Culture, we seek to value the exploration of history and highlight its importance in moving forward into the future.
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash. Photo: Supplied
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of Arts and Literature at Dubai Culture, assured the department’s commitment to developing and modernizing Dubai’s public libraries. He said initiatives such as the Reading Box Initiative and summer and winter camps would encourage residents’ reading habits.
The sixth edition of the “Reading Box” project was held in March 2021, coinciding with National Reading Month under the slogan “My family reads”.
Al Safa Library. Photo: Supplied
Total number of visitors to heritage sites: 259,216
Al Fahidi Historic District: 153,807 visitors
Hatta Heritage Village: 105,409 visitors.
Total number of museum visitors: 59,106
Etihad Museum: 24,304 visitors
Al Shindagha Museum: 18,909 visitors
The total number of guided tours carried out by the Authority in museums and heritage sites reached 9,731
Dubai Public Library: 203,431
Al Twar Library: 45,333 visitors
Al Safa Art and Design Library: 32,645 visits
— The total number of events organized in these libraries reached 645 with 12,932 participants
— Libraries provided 1,684 online services
— Total of 235,930 books borrowed, including 70,356 for adults and 165,574 for children.
— Libraries registered 1,286 new members in 2021, bringing the total number of memberships to 27,916.
