Zayed National Museum Unveils Multisensory Experience Honouring UAE Heritage

Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, is set to redefine cultural experiences by introducing bespoke multisensory elements that engage visitors through sound, music, and scent. The museum has collaborated with Emirati talents and institutions to craft a journey that celebrates the nation’s rich heritage. This innovative approach makes Zayed National Museum one of the first national museums worldwide to integrate multisensory experiences within its permanent visitor exhibits. By combining music, ambient soundscapes, and fragrance, Zayed National Museum aims to offer visitors a deeply immersive connection to the UAE’s history and culture.

To bring this multisensory vision to life, Zayed National Museum partnered with Emirati composers Mohammed Al Ahmed of Studio Al Watan and Hamad Al Taee, along with Casa de Oud, the UAE’s premier fragrance house. Collaborations also included musicians from Berklee Abu Dhabi to create ambient soundscapes reflecting the country’s diverse landscapes. Visitors to Zayed National Museum can expect a custom rendition of the UAE national anthem, instrumental compositions inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s poetry, and a signature scent capturing the nation’s natural beauty and cultural essence. These experiences highlight Zayed National Museum’s commitment to authentic storytelling and cultural preservation.

Hamad Al Taee, who created a unique version of the UAE national anthem for Zayed National Museum, said his composition blends traditional instruments like oud and nai with Western orchestral arrangements. This unique musical approach allows Zayed National Museum to celebrate the UAE’s identity while evoking national pride. Similarly, Mohammed Al Ahmed of Studio Al Watan reworked five songs based on Sheikh Zayed’s poetry, offering visitors to Zayed National Museum an emotional and cultural journey through music that reflects the nation’s heritage and values.

In addition to music, Zayed National Museum has partnered with Berklee Abu Dhabi to design ambient soundscapes inspired by the UAE’s deserts, mountains, seas, and oases. These soundscapes, playing throughout Zayed National Museum’s open spaces, immerse visitors in the natural environments that have shaped the UAE. Mayssa Karaa, Artistic Director at Berklee Abu Dhabi, explained that Zayed National Museum’s soundscapes allow visitors to feel the rhythm of the land and experience the country’s heritage in a personal and engaging way.

Scent is another key element of Zayed National Museum’s multisensory design. Casa de Oud created a bespoke fragrance that blends oud, jasmine, and native flora to pay tribute to Sheikh Zayed’s connection to the UAE’s land and heritage. Fahad Bin Jassas, founder of Casa de Oud, said that this signature scent in Zayed National Museum enhances storytelling by connecting visitors emotionally to the museum’s narrative, making their visit to Zayed National Museum an unforgettable experience.

Scheduled to open in December 2025, Zayed National Museum is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, a hub for world-class cultural institutions. Zayed National Museum honors the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, celebrating his dedication to education, national identity, and cultural belonging. By introducing multisensory experiences, Zayed National Museum is set to become a global benchmark for immersive museum experiences, attracting visitors from around the world to engage with the UAE’s rich cultural heritage.