Model of Qasr Al HosnMinistry collection
A representation of Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi's oldest stone building, originally a watchtower and later the seat of the ruling family and government.
Digital Library
Catalogue, shelf directions, reading and listening
Ministry Publications
The Ministry's own imprint — in print, forthcoming and out of print
Artefact Collection
Objects, recipes, songs and stories
Our Cultural Impact
32Catalogue Records
82Printed Copies
4193Pages Readable Online
9Artefacts in the Collection
Culture Inspires the Future
Audiobook Samples
Public-domain and free-licence works — narrated in the reader, page by page. The Arabic classics are transcribed by Arabic Wikisource; every page cites its source.
Dhow Building: Craft of the CoastMinistry of Culture · 2 pages
Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Arab Emirates: A ReaderMinistry of Culture · 22 pages
Kalila wa-DimnaIbn al-Muqaffa' · 51 pages
One Thousand and One Nights — Part IAnonymous · 87 pages
One Thousand and One Nights — Part IIAnonymous · 75 pages
One Thousand and One Nights — Sindbad the SailorAnonymous · 116 pages
From the Collection
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Pearl-diving equipmentMinistry collection
Diving weights and an oyster basket of the kind used by pre-oil-era pearl divers, representing the maritime economy that shaped Emirati coastal communities before the discovery of oil.
UAE commemorative dirham coinMinistry collection
A commemorative UAE dirham coin, part of the national currency issued by the Central Bank of the UAE since the dirham's introduction in 1973.
Majlis floor cushionsMinistry collection
Traditional floor seating and cushions of the kind found in a majlis, the cultural and social gathering space central to Emirati hospitality and communal decision-making.