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09 Februari 2012

Manarat Al Saadiyat – Celebrating Art and Culture on Saadiyat Island

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Located only around 500 metres from Abu Dhabi’s coast, Saadiyat Island is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for those heading to the city. The island which is developing a wide range of cultural and leisure attractions and entertainment and commercial venues, offers something for everyone. Linked to Abu Dhabi via highway bridges, the island is about a five minute drive from the city’s downtown area. While many stunning attractions are in the process of being constructed here, there are other sites of interest that are already complete such as Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Translated to ‘The Place of Enlightenment’, Manarat Al Saadiyat is a stunning visitor centre on the island that offers hours of fun and exploration. Spread across an area of around 15,400 square metres, this stylish structure is home to gallery spaces that include the ‘The Saadiyat Story’ which takes visitors on a unique and fascinating interactive journey chronicling the development of Saadiyat and its future plans. This particular attraction features LCD screen displays with a special sensor system that responds to gestures, a variety of audio visual elements and touch screen panels.

Art lovers also have plenty to see here. The Arts Abu Dhabi Gallery is a venue that hosts a variety of exhibitions and cultural programmes, while the Universal Art Gallery and the Contemporary Art Gallery give one a chance to appreciate universal arts and contemporary arts respectively. The Central Events Gallery is a multi-purpose event space that is used to host special events at Manarat Al Saadiyat. There is also a modern 250 seat on site theatre where visitors can witness performing arts programs.

Those having worked up an appetite after all their Saadiyat adventures can enjoy a relaxed meal at the site’s Fanr restaurant. Serving both regional and international cuisine, this contemporary style restaurant also features a courtyard area offering al fresco dining.

Travellers to the region in search of a hotel Abu Dhabi UAE which provides luxurious accommodation and a range of leisure facilities and services can stay at Grand Millennium Al Wahda. Situated adjacent to the famous Al Wahda Mall, this Abu Dhabi hotel offers easy access to the city centre and is well suited for a business trip, shopping excursion or family holiday.