Thousands of visitors turn out for day two of Mother of the Nation Festival

'This is best festival I have ever seen in Abu Dhabi. All kinds of activities for adults, children and kids are there.'

Hundreds of visitors turned out for the second day of the Mother of the Nation Festival on Abu Dhabi's Corniche on Friday. Vidhyaa for The National

ABU DHABI // The second day of the Mother of the Nation Festival attracted thousands of people to the Corniche on Friday.

The event, which runs until April 2, celebrates and honours the values of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation and head of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.

It is one of the biggest social and cultural events in the country, and its official social media hashtag, #MOTNFestival, was trending on Friday.

“This is best festival I have ever seen in Abu Dhabi. All kinds of activities for adults and children of all ages are here,” said Emirati Maryam Al Mesleh, who was enjoying the event with her family.

“The selection of the venue is great also. You stroll on the beach and enjoy cultural and traditional activities. The cafes and food joints are also lined up to cater to the needs of visitors. I loved the place.”

The festival has several zones offering something for all ages. They include a souq, beach dining, physical activities, art markets and a conservation zone dedicated to the environment of the UAE.

Shaima Al Marzooqi, an ambassador of the festival, informed visitors about the transformation of education in the UAE.

“I have been telling people that, in the old days, there used to a motawwa [teacher] who teaches to all the students in a class on a mat. But gradually, as the country developed, they moved to tables and chairs in classes. Now students study in modern classrooms equipped with gadgets and technology,” she said.

Entrance to the festival is Dh20 for adults, Dh10 for children under 12 and free for youngsters five and under.

Proceeds will be donated to a charity chosen by the festival’s organising committee.

For those driving, organisers said parking was available opposite the Corniche, next to Nation Towers.

Throughout the festival, there are shuttle buses every five minutes taking visitors from the East Plaza to Nation Towers car park, making five stops along the Corniche on the way.