Etihad Museum will open its doors to the general public from 7th January 2017, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced.

This follows the recent official inauguration of the museum on 2nd December, on the eve of UAE’s 45th National Day in the presence of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Members of the Federal Supreme Council.

The museum will welcome visitors all week long from 10am to 8pm, and will present educational exhibits and programmes that show the chronological events of the agreement signing and Union declaration in 1971.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority said, "This landmark heritage initiative is an important manifestation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to create an important national UAE cultural and tourist landmark. It will offer the public a valuable opportunity to discover year-round the events before, during and after the Union agreement’s signing in 1971. In doing so, the museum will enhance visitor understanding of the rights, privileges and responsibilities bestowed upon the nation’s citizens through the UAE constitution."

As part of Dubai Culture’s wider role in establishing a regulatory framework for the Emirate’s heritage sector, Etihad Museum will contribute to the realisation of the Dubai Plan 2021 objectives, to consolidate the Emirate’s position as a home for creative individuals who are proud of their cultural identity.

Visitors will be able to enjoy reading books at the Dubai Public Library branch within the museum, which will hold three thousand different titles on the UAE’s national and social history. Pictures, movies and documents from 1968 to 1974 will be on display to provide numerous points of interest throughout the nation building process of the nation, all of which is captured in the museum.

The Etihad Museum’s new permanent pavilion is inspired by the shape of a manuscript, with seven columns which emulate the pens used to sign the 1971 Union agreement, while the museum’s identity is inspired from the colours of the UAE flag, the Union’s identity and the seven emirates.