Ryan Reynolds Praises Abu Dhabi's Arts and Culture Scene at LiveX, Cites Eccentricity as Key to Thriving Cities

Actor Ryan Reynolds praised Abu Dhabi's arts and culture scene during his appearance as a keynote speaker at LiveX in Abu Dhabi on September 29, 2026, saying the emirate has done very well in building its artistic sector, according to The National. Reynolds described himself as a storyteller rather than a conventional actor, citing his multi-tasking approach across writing, directing, and performance. He stated that thriving cities share a strong sense of identity, with community pride being central to their success, and emphasized the importance of eccentricity in creating what he termed a boom town. Reynolds said, Suddenly you're bringing that and you're creating eccentricity as well, and suddenly you have yourself a boom town, according to The National.

The remarks come as Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island continues to expand its cultural offerings, with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open on December 11, 2026, according to The National. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened in 2017, has established the emirate as a growing cultural destination in the Gulf region. Reynolds' comments at LiveX reflect increasing international recognition of Abu Dhabi's investment in arts and culture infrastructure as part of its broader economic diversification strategy beyond oil and gas. The LiveX event brought together keynote speakers from the entertainment, business, and technology sectors to discuss innovation and creativity.

Sources

The National, Ryan Reynolds praises Abu Dhabi's arts scene and the 'eccentricity' that makes cities thrive, September 29, 2026, thenationalnews.com