FESTIVAL
OVERVIEW BRIEF
The Mother of the Nation Festival celebrates, commemorates and honours the inspirational values of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Throughout multiple and diverse activity zones, the festival creates an entertaining and highly interactive atmosphere that welcomes families and individuals from all walks of life. Visitors are invited to enjoy a day out on the Corniche and participate in this unique community event that celebrates the best aspects of contemporary culture within Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
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THE MOTHER OF THE NATION FESTIVAL HAS A NUMBER OF ZONED AREAS:
VIP PAVILLON PERFORMANCE AREA SOUQ Interactive historical displays are intertwined with a contemporary shopping district highlighting the most creative and unique products within the UAE.
BEACH DINING A centralised food and beverage area features the best dining concepts in Abu Dhabi from upscale restaurants to local street food.
ACTIVE An area focused on health and physical spectacle, showcasing some of the most impressive sports performances in the country, whilst also engaging visitors to get involved and participate.
ART & ART MARKETS
A winding pathway that leads visitors through a garden of creative and artistic experiences themed around the core virtues of “the art of motherhood “.
CONSERVATION
LOCATION: ABU DHABI CORNICHE
A zone dedicated to the beauty of the environment of the UAE, with a focus of engaging visitors to get involved in local preservation. 2
SOUQ
The Souq is a custom-built boutique inspired by the old port markets of Abu Dhabi and representation of the rich heritage and cultural exchange that continues to take place within the Emirate. This area showcases interactive displays of Emirati history, set in the time period of the 1950s and 60s, as well as featuring an eclectic assortment of boutique pop up shops. Product categories available within the Souq: • Cosmetics • Fashion • House Goods • Jewelry • Perfume
• Gourmet Food • Bath and Body
PLAY AREAS Two heritage themed play areas along with seating for parents allow space for children to run, jump and play.
HERITAGE DISPLAYS Custom constructed interactive exhibits allow visitors to have hands on experiences with heritage topics focused on: • Pearling • Education • Photography • Spice trade • Vintage cars 3
FOOD AND BEVERAGE • A contemporary seaside lounge,
serving coffee in both traditional and modern ways. Experienced baristas show visitors the fine process of
traditional coffee preparation from roasting to brewing.
• Children’s Performances A show parents can take their children to for a relaxing evening of outdoor entertainment
PAVILION One of the focal points within the Souq, the Pavilion, is a unique exhibition
STAGE & CONCERTS The stage area hosts a variety of entertainment spectacles throughout the Mother of the Nation Festival. Acts include local and international performers as well as a custom designed show for the festival. • Al Serdal show: The Prince of Divers A mix of animated and live action cinema presenting the integral role women played in the history of pearl diving
designed solely for the Mother of the Nation Festival, dedicated to the immeasurable impact women have had in Emirati society. Visitors to the pavilion are taken on a mixed media journey inspired by Her Highness’ support for women’s empowerment both within the UAE and abroad. The stories told therein, offer a glimpse of the connecting thread between the contribution of women to society and the success that follows.
• Live music Top local musicians take the stage over the course of the festival
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BEACH DINING
Situated on the West Plaza of the Corniche, the Beach Dining zone operates as the main food and beverage hub for the festival. Taking cues from Her Highness’ renowned hospitality, guests visiting this zone are presented with an extensive lineup of food options and ample seating to sit and relax with their families and friends. Vendors are chosen
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES • Gardening workshops teaching visitors how to grow their own food • Stage featuring a rotating slate of performers and musical talent from around the UAE • Latte art and mocktail demonstrations
for their healthy or creative cuisine that exemplifies the best from food scene of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates.
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ACTIVE
An action packed area dedicated to getting all the festival’s visitors moving and engaged in physical activities that benefit both wellness and social life. All elements of this area reflect the key values of health, teamwork and overcoming obstacles as characterised in past initiatives of Her Highness, such as establishing the Ladies Sports Academy (FBMA) and her 2014 Diabetes Awareness campaign. Activities are sectioned into a range of engagement levels
BEACH LOUNGE Several casual games adorn the waterfront where visitors can relax and socialize with friends • Beach billiards • Foosball
• Oversized deck chair • Mini golf • Table tennis
MOVEMENT INSTALLATIONS Large interactive light installations designed to engage with visitors’ senses through their motions • Pools of light An interactive space comprised of giant concentric circles where movement creates echoes and ripples of light throughout • Architects of Air Monumental inflatable light rooms set up for visitors to walk through and have an immersive sensory experience. This is the UAE premiere of this exhibit 6
ACTIVITY CABANAS
URBAN SPACE
Existing beach huts are transformed
Area that celebrates the skill of urban sports and features an array of street sport professionals performing extreme stunts while also teaching the audience the finer
into activity hubs featuring games of skill such as: • Archery
points of a variety of activities including:
• Extreme yoyo
• Martial Arts
• Batak
• Parkour
• Football shootout
• Slackline
• Pedal power scalextric
• Zipline • Rock Wall • Bag Jump • Roller Rink • D.J.’s • Urban Dancers • Basketball • Extreme Pogo
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CONSERVATION
Carrying on with the encouragement of environmental awareness displayed by Her Highness, the Conservation & Environment zone features a number of interactive experiences designed to bring visitors one step closer to the natural landscape of the UAE.
ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE • Eco Safari Kids 7-14 can drive mini-jeeps through three different ecological terrains of the UAE and learn about what makes them unique
• Under the dome A 22.5m geodesic dome, houses an array of interactive activities and exhibits which all ages and both genders can enjoy • Environmental Cabanas Each cabana area is full of engaging material focused on select endangered species indigenous to the UAE • Fisheries Climbing Sculpture Kids can climb into a giant fish-shaped structure, the inside of which is video display content reflecting sustainable fishing practices in the UAE
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ART
Visitors can experience, interact with and create art regardless of age or background. Children can make creative souvenirs and gifts for their mothers and all ages can enjoy interacting with a collection of installations bursting with sound and colour. Guests may also rest in one of the many seating areas where performers engage audiences with various shows such as shadow puppetry and musical acts.
ART MARKET
Special designations derived from the core principles of art have been given to each section of the Art Zone: Unity, Balance, Contrast, Movement, Pattern, Rhythm, and Emphasis. Visitors experience one section after another illuminating “The Art of Motherhood.” Surrounded by activities and installations corresponding to these themes, a portrait is painted of mothers as the forward driving, focused forces that bring
Pop-up artist kiosks will be positioned along the path where visitors can purchase hand made goods, from both established and up-and-coming local artists and craftspeople. A variety of goods are available at the market stalls such as: •
Artisan Jewelry & Accessories
•
Bespoke stationary
•
Handmade toys
•
Custom apparel
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES Tables manned by members of the local art community introduce children to different artistic mediums and forms: •
Spin art
harmony to our lives and band us together.
•
Artscape painting
All art enclosed in the zone exists within a
•
Kaleidoscope
framework of appreciation and respect for not just
•
Homemade instruments
Her Highness as The Mother of the Nation, but
•
Fingertip birds of the UAE
all mothers who make the families of this country
•
Yarn craft
strong.
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NEED TO KNOW
When is the Festival open?
- A dedicated food area for restaurants and kiosks
The festival is open from Thursday March 24th to
- Food trucks / carts to be scattered throughout the festival
Saturday April 2nd and regular opening hours are 16.00 – 24.00. •
A meeting point, including lost & found facility
How does ticketing work at the Festival?
•
Prayer Rooms (Male & Female)
There is no need to pre-book tickets for the
•
Medical facilities
Festival. Tickets must be purchased at the Festival
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Nursing facilities
entrance for AED 20 per adult, AED 10 for children
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Toilets & Welfare Facilities including disabled
under 12 and children age 5 years and under visit
toilets
for free. This money will be donated to a charity
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Seating areas
chosen by the committee.
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Information Points in strategic locations
•
Tickets admit one person only and cannot be
- Each Information Point will be manned by our friendly event staff who will be able to answer any questions
exchanged once redeemed •
•
•
Ticket is valid for entry between 16:00 – 24:00 on the date shown only
•
Retail areas across the festival
The organiser reserves the right to refuse
•
Park & Ride facilities
entry to unaccompanied children under the
•
Taxi ranks
age of 12 years
•
Cash machines
The organiser reserves the right to limit and refuse entries without giving any reason
Smoking Designated smoking areas will be located
What facilities will there be at the Festival? •
throughout the festival.
Food and beverage outlets
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Getting to the festival
towers car park making stops at each of the laybys
The site can be accessed through 4 entrances:
over the festival days. Schedule to follow.
•
Art Zone – Next to East Plaza
•
Art Zone – Photo Pointillism
VIP Parking
•
West Terrace
Located next to the plant bone yard and the Nation
•
VIP Entrance – Exhibition Zone
Towers car park during the festival.
Parking
Offsite Paid Parking
Parking is extremely limited at the Festival site.
There are limited car parks alongside the Corniche
In order to save visitors the time of queuing at
across the road of the event.
the gates (with no guarantee of parking) we are providing the following alternatives: Park & Ride There will be shuttle busses running along the length of the festival site from the east plaza to the nation
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