The voice of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, greeted families as they entered the new national museum on Wednesday, a day after the landmark was unveiled in a spectacular light show.
A public holiday may have ended on Tuesday, but crowds still flocked to Zayed National Museum on Saadiyat Island to be among the first to glimpse the story of their nation.
"It's very beautiful, you really feel him close as if he's present here with you," said Emirati Sharifa Al Hashmi.
"When you first walk in at the 'Our Beginning' gallery entrance, you'll read words written on the wall – but at the same time, you hear the voice of Baba Zayed ... when I heard it, I couldn't handle it and immediately cried."
Stepping back in time
At the centrepiece is an 18-metre reconstruction of a Bronze Age Magan boat.
There, performers dressed as fishermen sing folk songs and play traditional drums, as their ancestors would have done centuries ago, when ordinary Emiratis eked out a modest existence.
UAE Rulers Tour Zayed Museum - in pictures
President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, tour the Zayed National Museum. All photos: UAE Presidential Court President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fuja
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