UAE’s first Mother of the Nation Festival announced

The inaugural Mother of the Nation festival next month will stretch across the Corniche with interactive programmes paying tribute to the untiring work of mothers.

ABU DHABI // The vision of Sheikha Fatima and the untiring care of mothers will be celebrated in the Mother of the Nation Festival next month.

The festival, with interactive programmes paying tribute to mothers and recognising the efforts of families to preserve Emirati culture and heritage, will stretch across the Corniche.

It will highlight the work of Sheikha Fatima, supreme chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and chairwoman of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood.

The festival is organised by Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Culture Authority and “sends a distinct cultural message and encourages the growth of a society that uses the heritage and diversity of its values, customs and people as a strength”, said Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the TCA.

“It recognises the advocacy of nurturing, educating and giving undertaken by the Mother of our Nation, Sheikha Fatima, and her crucial role in promoting global tolerance and instilling the values of cultural diversity among all members of society.”

Entertainment and education pavilions will be set up with souqs, art markets, conservation spaces and dining areas along a 1.3-kilometre stretch of the Corniche.

Five activity zones will be part of the festival, as will The Pavilion, which will reflect Sheikha Fatima’s achievements.

Each zone will be built on a specific theme to highlight the nurturing role of mothers and recognise them as the building blocks of the nation.

There will be historical archives, photos and films, many of which will be seen in public for the first time.

The Active Zone will reflect the importance a mother places on her family’s health.

The Conservation Zone will look at people’s responsibility to protect the environment and the need to foster teamwork among the young. It will also feature interactive installations, activity cabanas and a beach lounge to promote the integration of healthy bodies and minds.

For the young, there will be activities including Eco Safari, Under the Dome and Environmental Cabanas.

In the Art Zone, visitors can interact with and create artworks as they walk down winding paths to a garden of activities based on the theme “The Art of Motherhood”.

The artwork on display and created at the festival will pay tribute to Sheikha Fatima and all mothers in the UAE.

In the Beach Dining Zone, restaurants along the West Plaza of the Corniche will offer local and international cuisine.

The Souq Zone will have traditional shops and international brands, with workshops for visitors.

The Mother of the Nation Festival will run from March 24 until April 2, from 4pm until midnight daily. Tickets for adults and children under 12 are available at the gate for Dh20 and Dh10 respectively. Admission is free for children who are five years old or younger.

Proceeds from the festival will be donated to the organising committee’s charity of choice.