This session explores the evolving role of museums in shaping cultural and national narratives, moving beyond the traditional concept of museums as repositories of artefacts and collections to become living knowledge spaces that interrogate memory, document human experiences, and connect tangible heritage with the stories that give it meaning. The session will examine the Zayed National Museum's experience in developing a narrative rooted in national history and collective memory, highlighting the complementary relationship between tangible and intangible heritage. It will also explore the role of museums in preserving knowledge, stimulating memory, strengthening intergenerational connections, and documenting human experiences through voices, testimonies, oral histories, and lived experiences. In addition, the discussion will shed light on the petroglyphs of Fujairah and the human and cultural stories they embody, reflecting a deep connection to place. The session will also feature the Faces of Fujairah project as an inspiring community initiative that documents the human imprint on place through personal stories that capture social transformations and preserve aspects of local memory.
