ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how heritage is being used to construct a cosmopolitan identity for the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It discusses how cosmopolitanism is embedded within Abu Dhabi's heritage industry through an analysis of the heritage discourse that surrounds both autochthonous and franchised heritage. The chapter argues that by focusing on global heritage and cosmopolitan identity, the more everyday' aspects of autochthonous heritage are marginalised, which leads to an unresolved tension between autochthonous and franchised heritage. The official heritage discourse, as set out by the Abu Dhabi government, focuses on the emirate's role as facilitator of cross-cultural exchange and global dialogue, and by doing so it seeks to establish the emirate's cosmopolitan credentials on the world stage. In Abu Dhabi contemporary cultural developments are situated within a desire to modernise and at the same time retain traditional aspects of Arabian Gulf life-ways.
