The fourth edition of the Mother of the Nation Festival (MOTN) returns to the UAE capital in conjunction with the Special Olympics World Games, which is taking place from March 14 to 21.
The festival pays tribute to the living legacy of the original ‘Mother of the Nation’, HH 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.
Held along a kilometre of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, the Festival will embody the spirit of the ‘Year of Tolerance’ through a number of activities. From musical and entertainment performances and art exhibits to interactive workshops, the Festival offers something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the newly introduced Special Olympics Zone, there will also be an e-sports gaming championship in the Progress Zone, while the Happiness Zone returns with an array of exhilarating activities.
Entry tickets are priced at AED 25 per adult and AED 20 for kids between 6 and 12 years of age. A Festival Family Pass is also available (2 adults + 2 children) for AED 290. Entry is free of charge for senior citizens (60 years and above), children below 6 years of age, and people of determination.
Buy your tickets here. Learn more at www.motn.ae.
A’l Bahar, Abu Dhabi Corniche | 12 March – 23 March
Sunday to Wednesday – 4pm – 12am | Thursday to Saturday – 2pm – 12am
Cirque du Soleil is performing for the very first time in Abu Dhabi, under the famous Cirque Du Soleil Big Top tent, with its new show, Cirque du Soleil Bazzar. The show is brought to the UAE by Alchemy Project and presented by Mother of The Nation Festival. Click here to learn more about Cirque Du Soleil Bazzar.
6- 16 March | Yas Marina Circuit
In the Happiness Zone, visitors can delight in forming deeper bonds with family, friends, and fellow attendees. Besides offering fascinating activities and fun programmes, the Happiness Zone places a special focus on advocating cultural and religious tolerance via engaging interactions and dialogue, and will feature attractions including:
- Art-Zoo Inflatable Park: Children and adults alike can experience the wonders of nature as they explore this fun ‘bouncy castle’ playground. Visitors of all ages can look forward to running, jumping and interacting with nine large inflatable animals in the world’s biggest inflatable park, which is coming to the Middle East for the first time.
- Adventure Wonderland: This fun-filled adventure playground features an original design that will fulfill the wildest dreams of kids, adults, and everyone in between. Visitors can take in the sights of the Festival at the ‘View from the Top’ observation platform, feel the adrenaline rush as they ride the ‘From Tree to Tree’ zip line, and get creative with drumming, Lego-building and painting activities in the ‘Tree Playhaus’.
- The Wanderlust Tour: This exciting off-road driving experience invites visitors aged six and above to take a thrilling ride through a sand trail on an all-terrain vehicle.
- The Mario Quest: Gaming fans are invited to step into the shoes of popular characters as they conquer various obstacles in a fun-filled quest, collecting coins along the way.
- Zorb Safari: Visitors can get the ball rolling on their fun day out by taking a ride through the sandpit in a ‘Zorb’. These giant transparent inflatable balls promise hours of amusement for visitors as they roll and bounce through the sand dunes.
- Sky High: The sky’s the limit at this miniature trampoline park, where visitors can show off their skills and challenge friends at the basketball hoops to see who gets the most slam dunks.
- Art Trail – The Rainbow Connection: The Rainbow Connection is a display of suspended solar light modules that evokes a fantastical dreamscape inspired by the sea, woods, and clouds. Each light unit is made from upcycled snack containers and was co-created with the community, resulting in an art piece that represents the social fabric that holds individuals together.
- Art Trail – Dancing Glass: Visitors can enjoy a special experience by immersing themselves in this larger-than-life glowing ‘grass’ field. The installation celebrates Abu Dhabi’s diversity and role as a vibrant melting-pot for global cultures.
Creativity and innovation are taken to the next level in the Progress Zone. Visitors will be inspired to push their boundaries and immerse themselves in the mind-boggling world of science, art and technology as they explore a series of attractions that offer a glimpse into the world of tomorrow, featuring:
- TRANSPORTA: This signature show invites visitors to embark on a journey into the fascinating world of quantum mechanics. The interactive learning experience will use digital art and multimedia experiences to examine the behaviour of atoms and bring cutting-edge science to life.
- E-sports Arena:
- Gastro Beats: Combining food and music, Gastro Beats brings a fresh concept to Abu Dhabi’s rich culinary scene. With entertaining live performances across more than 12 shows and a tantalizing array of global dishes to choose from, this attraction promises to be one of the highlights of the Festival for food lovers.
- Mini Spartan Challenge: Those seeking something a little more physical can test themselves in a series of Spartan challenges in this family-friendly version of the iconic endurance race, presented by Spartan Race.
- Creative Workshops: Visitors have a chance to participate in a wide range of creative workshops, where they can try their hand at a variety of crafts, from tote bag-making and clay sculpting to origami and bracelet-making.
- Laser Fight Club: This VR-based experience invites participants to wield their laser swords and get ready to challenge their skills in an immersive block-slicing game.
- Laser Vault: Participants will take part in a daring ‘Mission Impossible’-style test of agility, as they strive to avoid more than 50 beams to reach the other side of the Laser Vault.
- Make Your Mark: Visitors will have a chance to ‘make their mark’ with temporary art on skin, and can choose from a range of templates or create their very own design.
The Souq and F&B Zone will ignite all five senses with a plethora of unique retail experiences, a superstar-filled concert, and food galore. This zone brings together a series of 40 home-grown retail initiatives and 50 food vendors serving a diverse range of global cuisine. In partnership with Festember, the Souq and F&B Zone will focus on inspiring interaction among diverse cultures and peoples in a vibrant marketplace that offers an eclectic mix of shopping and culinary attractions.
Guests will also be treated to world-class entertainment at the Main Stage positioned in the Souq and F&B Zone, with an exciting array of performances from storytellers, musicians, circus acts, puppeteers, magicians and many other talented entertainers. The Main Stage will feature a superstar and international DJ headliner, in addition to more than 50 performances from local and international bands, singers, shows and DJs. Details of the exciting line-up of artists will be revealed soon.
Participants are also invited to shape up with range of group exercise classes, including High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Zumba and Yoga sessions. A variety of Special Olympics-related events will take place at the Main Stage throughout the Festival, including awards ceremonies. The Main Stage, which is among the biggest seen in Abu Dhabi, will also be the venue for the Festival’s thrilling laser and light show that will light up the sky regularly throughout the 12-day event.
