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Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the third edition of Mother of Nation Festival has concluded with the event entertaining and delighting more than 151,000 visitors from across Abu Dhabi, the UAE and beyond with a highly interactive programme for the entire family to enjoy, including performances, shopping, food, workshops, activities and more.
Taking place between Thursday 22nd to Saturday 31st March 2018 at Miral’s newly-inaugurated beachfront leisure development A’l Bahar and spread across more than a kilometre of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, the annual festival paid tribute to the ‘Mother of the Nation’, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, and President of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood, and her living legacy. This year’s line-up reflected her inspirational values of empowerment, conservation, collaboration and sustainability.
HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: "It is heart-warming to see such an influx of visitors at this year’s Mother of the Nation Festival. We are thrilled to have hosted so many residents not just from all over the UAE, but also from across the wider GCC, to celebrate the UAE’s rich heritage and cultural diversity, and to commemorate the inspirational values of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. We look forward to hosting this event in years to come and working with our partners to create new concepts and attractions to further promote Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction.”
Over the course of its ten days, the Mother of the Nation Festival was honoured to receive several esteemed guests who toured the multiple zones and key sections. They included: HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, HE Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Member of the Executive Council, HE Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, HE Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mehairi, Minister of State for Future Food Security, HE Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, HE Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development and HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Climate Change.
Teeming with crowds eager to celebrate and enjoy the final day activities, this year’s festival bid farewell to visitors with a colourful fireworks spectacle lighting up the Abu Dhabi evening sky on Saturday evening. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology, the pyrotechnics display stretched out along a 600m length of water aboard seven barges, anchored opposite A’l Bahar. The dazzling fireworks reached as high as 900m, and could be spotted for miles around as visitors flocked to enjoy the final day of the festival. The Festival also concluded its third edition with two signature events that captured visitors’ imagination wherever they were on the festival grounds.
HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are extremely proud to have concluded another edition of Mother of the Nation Festival. This year’s turnout truly highlights the festival’s stature as a must-see event offering a variety of experiences and a fun-filled, family-friendly programme. We look forward to welcoming our guests to future editions of the festival as we celebrate together the best of Abu Dhabi’s culture and community spirit.”
The Dancing Fire show breathed out towering flames in a choreographed dance of fire, over the waters of the Corniche. Another powerful addition was the ‘Year of Zayed’ Drone Show, the first-ever drone light show in the Middle East featuring 500 drones in a new form of night time entertainment and storytelling – turning the Abu Dhabi sky into a canvas of vivid colours.
The Main Stage played host to some of biggest local and international artists and performers throughout the festival. The impressive structure served as both performance platform and dramatic festival landmark, with a diverse range of performances from talent who captivated audiences. The Main Stage acts included: Adel Ibrahim, Eida Almenhali, Myriam Fares, Majid Al Mohandis, Fouad Abdul Wahed, Ghalia Benali, Mohammed Al Shehhi, Daneel Sayegh, Hayajan, Harget Kart, Ali Al Sayed, Arnabeat, Swing Revue, Danny Aridi, Sons of Yusuf and Los Cubanos, as well as sets from MC Big Hass, MC Jad Haidar and MC May Sayed.
One of the festival’s key elements and exhibitions was the Mother of the Nation Pavilion, which explored the impact of women throughout history, celebrating the past, present and future generations of Emirati women who have participated in the UAE’s progress as mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Highlighting Emirati women’s historical achievements, the pavilion narrated the pioneering efforts of Emirati women following in the footsteps of H.H. Sheikha Fatima.
Through its multiple and diverse activity zones, the festival also created an entertaining and immersive atmosphere that welcomed families and individuals from all walks of life. It hosted four distinct activation zones: Happiness, Progress, Beach Dining, and Souq. In Happiness, children and families were invited to rediscover the joy of wonder; whether walking beneath a canopy of giant flowers, rolling around inside an inflatable sphere or tackling the challenges of Courage Mountain.
Meanwhile, in Progress, they got to dig their hands in the soil, follow a seed on its journey to becoming part of a wholesome meal, or drop from the sky on a bungee line amongst other activities. Beach Dining provided a relaxing and colourful space to take a break and enjoy a meal from a variety of tasteful options; from food trucks, kiosks and restaurants, while the Souq showcased the best of local and international talent across 77 stylish retail carts and containers throughout the festival.
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