MOTHER OF THE NATION FESTIVAL
The fifth of the family-friendly festival launches on Abu Dhabi Corniche
What to see and do at the annual cultural event
The one-kilometre stretch of Miral’s beachfront development A’l Bahar marks the colourful location for this year’s Mother of the Nation festival, which celebrates family and women in the region. Here’s everything you need to know about this worthwhile festival.
THE HISTORY
The Mother of the Nation festival began in 2015 and each year the programming and activities have been carefully chosen to reflect pride in the nation’s achievements.
“The fifth edition of the festival will be the biggest yet and we cannot wait to welcome guests from all over the region and abroad to further cement the UAE’s reputation as a leading entertainment destination,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, acting executive director of tourism and marketing at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) – Abu Dhabi.
More than 100,000 people attended the Mother of the Nation festival in 2019, taking in more than 6,000 minutes of entertainment. There were
180 volunteers helping to run the event and almost 500 artists, including Cirque du Soleil, a Libyan capella choir and the Saudi superstart Rabeh Saqr. There was also an Art Zoo featuring inflatable animals for children and upcycling and clay sculpting workshops.
Last year the International Fund for Houbara Conservation sponsored a series of learning activities aimed at teaching children about the importance of protecting the Houbara bustard, which has been classed as vulnerable since 2014 due to declining populations.
THE 2020 FOCUS
In addition to the main pavilion, there’ll be several activity zones, designed to entertain families and individuals while honouring Sheikha Fatima, a woman who is a cornerstone of the UAE.
“For the 2020 edition, we are honouring her legacy through an event that combines heritage with contemporary culture, fusing global flavours with the hospitality and culture of the Emirates,” said Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, acting undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.
THE CULTURE
This year’s event marks the regional debut of the UK’s Cirque Elemental, an immersive, traditional circus experience that incorporates holograms in a series of 20 acts. It will also celebrate Japanese art and pop culture with creative artist Daniel Popper flying in from South Africa to curate an exclusive exhibition. In addition to an Emirati heritage village, the event will feature the creative works of rising Emirati artists. Visitors can also choose from a range of panels and discussions that will tackle topics from food to the environment.
THE FAMILY FUN
Children are going to love the Monster, which marks a return to the Mother of the Nation Festival. The 300m-long bouncy inflatable features more than 40 obstacles, including an 18-metre mega slide and a haunted house. The Family stage offers an array of performances, including Dora the Explorer’s Friendship Fiesta, complete with other famous characters such as Boots, The Bubble Guppies, Diego and Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall.
THE SHOPPING
Head to the festival’s Indulge zone, which offers more than 50 different pop-up concepts, including Off White, Alexander Wang, Les Benjamins, Heron Preston and Palm Angels.
THE INSPIRATION
The festival is broken down into six zones that will each honour women and the family under the themes of Inspire, Explore, Nurture, Entertain, Indulge, and Amuse. Inspire is a heritage and environment area that pays tribute to traditional and modern culture in the UAE. It’s also here where visitors can pay tribute to Sheikha Fatima and her pioneering initiatives and celebrate Emirati women who are working now to help build the UAE community. Explore offers education and entertainment, as well as an adventure area that will stimulate and excite little ones, while Nurture is a culinary area where fans of the pinkchic EL&N Café in London’s Chelsea will be able to visit a pop-up version. There will be a live performance area, opportunities to shop for fashion, jewellery, beauty products and leather goods, as well as a family entertainment and crafts area.