About the Al Liwan Foundation for Culture and Heritage
Vision
The message
Core values
Our strategic goals
Develop initiatives and design digital programs to present heritage in a contemporary spirit to preserve the UAE's cultural identity.
Consolidating the cultural identity and authentic Emirati values through sustainable, creative, and interactive initiatives targeting youth, children, and adolescents.
Enhancing cultural communication with other communities and peoples through cultural exchange initiatives.
Highlighting the heritage and cultural contributions of Emirati women and supporting ways to promote them.
Raising awareness of sustainability standards in the field of social culture and intangible and intangible heritage.
The story of the name Liwan
Sheikha Salama bint Tahnoon Al Nahyan drew inspiration for the name “Al Liwan” for her cultural and heritage foundation from the palace of her grandfather, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, in Al Ain. This historic landmark was a vibrant hub of life and gatherings. The palace of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan hosted sessions filled with generosity and knowledge, where travelers and guests from diverse cultures gathered to exchange stories, experiences, and knowledge. In this spacious space, cultural diversity met with the roots of authentic Emirati identity, creating a comprehensive canvas of heritage, arts, traditional crafts, and societal values.
From this rich heritage, Sheikha Salama wanted to make the name “Al Liwan” an extension of that profound meaning; it would be a living cultural platform that revives the message of her great grandfather: generosity, encounter, and communication. Today, the Foundation follows in the footsteps of the ancient past, bringing together minds, documenting Emirati identity, and opening its doors to interaction with global cultures, just as her grandfather, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, did in his palace.
“Al Liwan” today is not just a name; it is a renewed memory that connects the past and the present, carrying the message of our ancestors into the future; keeping the legacy alive, the values rooted, and the vision extended across generations.