Abu Dhabi Louvre and Guggenheim opening dates set

The opening dates of the three museums which will make up a huge cultural development plan in Abu Dhabi have been announced. Louvre Abu Dhabi will open in 2015, the Zayed National Museum in 2016 and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in 2017. Together they form the Saadiyat Cultural District. Working with Agence France Muséums, The British Museum and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the emirate aims to 'establish Abu Dhabi as one the world’s leading tourism and cultural destinations'. Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by Jean Nouvel, will showcase art from different civilisations and cultures; the Zayed National Museum, designed by Norman Foster, will tell the story of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and first president of the UAE who died in 2004; and the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will exhibit modern and contemporary art.