we invited abu dhabi to experience a new perspective on culture
Al Hosn Festival – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
BRIEF
Invite visitors to reimagine Abu Dhabi’s culture, craft and creativity
The restored and re-landscaped site of Qasr Al Hosn brings together the historic fort and a contemporary arts hub.
It demanded a new approach to the popular Al Hosn Festival that would celebrate Abu Dhabi’s past, present and future culture.
APPROACH
A New Perspective on Culture
For an audience familiar with an exclusively heritage-based Al Hosn Festival, we had a challenge: evolving their view of culture in Abu Dhabi to include contemporary arts and future possibilities.
Through environment design, careful curation and a diverse set of partners, we used the site layout to spark connections between culture new and old.
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EXPERIENCE
Three Eras, Many Creators
Stepping into the Past
From bustling souks and demonstrations to historic re-enactments, the area around the fort presented the culture and traditions of the past.
Future Creations
The Cultural Foundation’s visitor experience focused on the future, with forward-looking workshops, debates and performing arts.
Contemporary Connections
In the centre of the site, a landscape of possibilities showcased intriguing collaborations between the old and new, through arts, crafts, performance and food.
Seeing the intrinsic connections provided a new, unexpected perspective on local and regional culture.
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Impact
37,000 visitors of every generation
80 historical re-enactments
150 workshops
4.2/5 average feedback