ABU DHABI: Louvre Abu Dhabi is inviting visitors to experience the warmth and spirituality of Ramadan through a special program during the holy month that includes extended opening hours, immersive cultural talks and a diverse selection of pop-up dining options.
While the permanent galleries will continue to close at the usual time (8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday), the “Kings and Queens of Africa,” a temporary exhibition running until May 25, will remain open until 1 a.m. throughout the month.
This gives visitors an additional opportunity to view the works in an exhibition the museum says reflects its commitment to the celebration of African artistic heritage, including “Projection of Harmony” by renowned South African artist Esther Mahlangu.
The museum, in collaboration with the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, will also host a series of talks on the subject of Islamic philosophy. Scholars Taneli Kukkonen and Nader Bizri will delve into significant works of Islamic thought, drawing parallels between them and contemporary culture. The discussions will be accompanied by readings in the Hakawati style, an Arabic word that means “storyteller,” led by Lamya Tawfiq.
The first session, “Hayy Ibn Yaqzan and his Castaway Companions,” is on March 8. It will explore author Ibn Tufayl’s 12th-century masterpiece, which laid the foundations for the castaway genre and influenced classics such as Daniel Defoe’s 1719 novel “Robinson Crusoe,” and the 2000 Tom Hanks film “Cast Away.”
The second talk, “The Brethren of Purity and the Enduring Legacy of Animal Fables” on March 15, will examine the influence of Islamic fables on animal-related storytelling traditions worldwide, from the ancient Greek “Aesop’s Fables” to 20th century works such as “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and “The Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
Visitors will also be able to sample offerings from a number of Ramadan-inspired food pop-ups provided by establishments such as Ethr Cafe, Sky Garden by Ethr Cafe, Aptitude, Fouquet’s, Art Lounge, and Toby’s Estate.
Families visiting the museum during Ramadan and Eid can also participate in interactive workshops, including a “Create Your Own Headdress” event on March 29 and 30.
Meanwhile, Louvre Abu Dhabi has launched season three of its podcast series, “Adventures at the Museum,” which is billed as taking listeners on a journey through art history, storytelling and adventure. New episodes are released every Thursday.
