Did you know that the Saluki comes from a breed of dogs called greyhounds? Or that Delma Island helped quench Abu Dhabi city’s thirst for water in the 20th century?
A landmark new digital portal that answers these questions and showcases the cultural riches of the emirate has been launched.
It also shines a light on some of the hidden gems and takes users off the beaten track outside of the major attractions of the capital.
Encompassing a new website, smartphone app and social media platforms, Abu Dhabi Culture is a one-stop guide for arts, culture and heritage.
Abu Dhabi Culture tells the history of heritage sites, showcases museums, galleries and cultural attractions, while also offering 360 degree tours. Users can study timelines, book visits, listen to podcasts and send e-postcards. An interactive map and contact details help people locate sites such as a museum on Delma Island. The portal will also feature fresh photos, driving directions, refreshed content and education kits.
The platform is designed for Emiratis, residents and tourists, while it’s also envisaged the platform will become a reference point for researchers and academics.
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“Abu Dhabi has a deep treasure trove of culture and the richest heritage,” said Saif Ghobash, Director General of the Department of Culture and Tourism, which launched the portal on Tuesday. “What makes this a landmark moment is our opportunity to bring all of this information - the richness of this immersion - together for the first time in an easy to use accessible form.”
Mr Ghobash said the aim is to provide in-depth knowledge on all cultural and heritage in the emirate for people inside and outside the UAE.
“It’s for faculty members, students, pupils, tourists and even tour guides who really want to have that edge in terms of content. Today we started at a certain level – but for every element the depth will be enhanced with more and more quality. More entities will feed into it. It will be a centre of knowledge.”
Mr Ghobash said the portal would also increase the attraction of Abu Dhabi for people considering visiting, while also enhancing their experience while in the country.
“It is free to access - we can play a role in enhancing content on the Lonely Planets of the world because of the information we have here.”
The launch comes as the UAE marks Innovation Month and officials from the DCT showcased how the app and website worked. Present was the director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manuel Rabaté. The museum opened to the public on November 11 and Mr Rabaté said the museum was very happy to be part of the new portal.
"It's the same story, the same adventure – we have loans from Al Ain [National Museum]," he told The National.
“This app is an invitation to go to the museum – but to also guide you to the other offerings of Abu Dhabi.”
A popular feature was the 360 degree journey through Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites. The emirate’s major landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Muwaiji all feature. But users can also explore hidden gems such as the Zayed Central Library in Al Ain and music centre, Bait Al Oud. These showcase the breadth of cultural activity across the emirate.
“This is what you have on the app, a strategy,” said Mr Rabaté. “You can have a small experience, a big experience. I lived in Paris and it’s the same thing – you have the Louvre and all these other places to enrich your life. Access is important. This app is providing access,” he said.
The Abu Dhabi Culture app is available in Arabic, English and French and can be downloaded on Apple’s iO3 and Android. It’s envisaged that more languages will be added in the coming months.
Steve Copestake is acting executive director of marketing and communication at the DCT.
"We'd never drawn all these things together before," he said. "But Visit Abu Dhabi will remain as out visitor portal."
The launch comes as Abu Dhabi is intensifying efforts to boost tourism. Official statistics for 2017 have yet to be published but it’s believed the emirate had five million hotel guests over the year. The target for this year is six million as Abu Dhabi benefits from last year’s opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi. A TV campaign promoting the emirate has also been launched.
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
Company%20Profile
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Abu Dhabi card
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,400m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 2,200m
6pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 1,400m
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
The National selections:
5pm: Valcartier
5.30pm: AF Taraha
6pm: Dhafra
6.30pm: Maqam
7pm: AF Mekhbat
7.30pm: Ezz Al Rawasi
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million