Louvre Abu Dhabi is offering free admission from 16 to 18 May 2026 in observance of International Museum Day — and it may be the last chance for UAE residents to see a Philippine National Cultural Treasure without buying a ticket.
Una Bulaqueña, painted by celebrated Filipino artist Juan Luna, is currently on loan to the Abu Dhabi museum through a collaboration between the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Museum of the Philippines, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. The 19th-century work depicts a woman from Bulacan in full traditional Filipino attire — the camisa, saya, pañuelo, and tapis — holding a folded fan and handkerchief, and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic works in Philippine art history.
The painting is scheduled to return to the Philippines in June 2026, leaving a narrow window for those in the UAE who have yet to see it. The Philippine Embassy, marking National Heritage Month, has been urging Filipinos and the broader public to visit the work while it remains accessible in the Gulf.
A complimentary “From the Philippines” guided tour runs every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Louvre Abu Dhabi for visitors who want deeper context on the painting and its cultural significance.
