Exciting First-in-region Visitor Attractions to be Unveiled at Mother of the Nation Festival 2019

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 10 March 2019: The highly anticipated Mother of the Nation Festival 2019 is set to start at 4pm on Tuesday, 12 March, offering visitors an exciting line-up of fun-filled activities and family-friendly entertainment. On Sunday, 10 March, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), which is organising the Festival, gave invited media representatives an exclusive preview of this year’s spectacular new attractions with a behind-the-scenes tour of the site.

The Festival, which will run until Saturday, 23 March at A’l Bahar on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, is an inspiring celebration of the living legacy of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, President of the General Women's Union, and Chairwoman of Motherhood and Childhood Supreme Council. This year, the Festival will highlight the UAE’s growth as a progressive and forward-thinking nation in line with the national Year of Tolerance initiative.

Day one of the Festival will feature musical performances from the Fayha Choir on the Main Stage, as well as Jamie Wrecs and Aman Sheriff on the GASTROBEATS stage. For younger visitors, the Festival’s storytelling sessions commence with the ever-popular tale of Sinbad the Sailor, which will be brought to life by talented performers in the Happiness Zone, presented by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA).

“By bringing world-class entertainment to the UAE’s capital, the fourth annual Mother of the Nation Festival enhances Abu Dhabi’s offerings and encourages local and international visitors to explore the city’s extensive array of attractions,” said HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi. “The festival will further enhance the city’s standing on the global stage, contribute to boosting the local economy and strengthen community spirit, while honouring the Mother of the Nation’s inspirational values. Along with our partners in the festival, we look forward to welcoming visitors for an unforgettable experience that will showcase the UAE as a role model for peaceful coexistence, in line with the goals of the national Year of Tolerance initiative, as well as being a destination for entertainment.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a traditional yoga session, as well as two creative workshops on Recycling Craft and Clay Sculpting. Meanwhile, the innovative performance act ‘Walid Show – The Laser Man’ will combine technology, dance, and interactive light shows to dazzle audiences with an amazing spectacle. Attendees can also take part in a packed schedule of workshops and events designed to uplift the community and celebrate the UAE’s spirit of tolerance and cultural diversity.

Khalid Essa Buhmaid, Senior Vice President, Government Relations at EGA, said: “As the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, Emirates Global Aluminium is committed to being a good corporate citizen by investing meaningfully in the communities where we operate. We particularly focus on educational and cultural activities that benefit our country’s youth. This year’s festival is particularly close to our hearts, as it embodies the pillars of the Year of Tolerance. It also pays tribute to the Mother of the Nation, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s core values - empowerment, conservation, collaboration and sustainability – values which we all share at EGA. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this year’s festival.”

As part of the Souq and F&B Zone, more than 80 dining experiences await the visitors, who can choose from an exceptional variety of high-quality global cuisines with dining options spanning traditional culinary experiences to international dishes and street food to gourmet, as well as refreshing beverages and a range of sweet treats, in addition to more than 35 retail outlets.

Visitors can enjoy easy access to the Festival site, with free parking available across the street from the Corniche in front of Nation Towers on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional spaces will be available at the nearby Marina Mall, where a regular shuttle bus service will provide free transport for visitors to Entrance C (Progress Zone and Special Olympics Zone). Buses will run every 20 minutes until 12:30am, starting from 3:45pm (Sunday – Wednesday) and 1:45pm (Thursday – Saturday). Discounted Uber rides are also available for those travelling to and from the Festival using code MOTN2019, which offers a 30 percent discount on six rides per user until March 23 (up to AED 30 off per ride).

The Mother of the Nation Festival 2019 introduces four distinct zones - the Happiness Zone, the Progress Zone, the Souq and F&B Zone, and the Special Olympics Zone, and will bring five first-in-region concepts to Abu Dhabi. These include TRANSPORTA, a signature edutainment show presented by Etisalat that invites visitors to step into the fascinating world of quantum mechanics through digital art and multimedia experiences; Art-Zoo Inflatable Park, the largest of its kind, which is coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time; a dedicated Esports Arena where visitors can take part in action-packed gaming tournaments with professional players, including the region’s first international Fortnite event; and a spectacular fireworks competition featuring displays by teams from four continents. Meanwhile, GASTROBEATS will combine live music performances with an extensive range of global cuisines. Other highlights visitors can look forward to during the Festival include headline performances from Saudi superstar Rabeh Sager and international DJ Nicky Romero, and an inspiring Beach Volleyball tournament in the Special Olympics Zone.

Visitors to Abu Dhabi can benefit from a series of packages from local hotels designed to deliver additional value for Festival attendees. The special ‘Mother of the Nation Festival Escape’ accommodation package at Centro by Rotana hotels includes entry tickets to the Festival for each adult, with tickets for children also available at special rates at the hotels. The package also includes buffet breakfast, 15 percent off dining and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Meanwhile, guests staying at Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi or Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown can avail a 20 percent discount on F&B and a 50 percent discount on laundry, in addition to a complimentary entry ticket for the Festival for each room night booked.

Safety and security is a top priority for the Festival, and a number of measures have been taken to ensure visitors’ wellbeing. Medical services will also be available at all times. There are also three first aid points across the site and wheelchairs for visitors’ use. To make the Festival experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for visitors, a range of facilities and amenities are available at the Festival site including information kiosks, a lost and found facility, dedicated prayer rooms for men and women, washrooms, and facilities for people of determination.

The Mother of the Nation Festival will take place at Abu Dhabi Corniche from 12 - 23 March 2019, and is open from 4pm - 12am (Sunday to Wednesday) and 2pm - 12am (Thursday to Saturday).

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting 800tickets.com or motn.ae. Entry tickets are priced at AED 25 per adult and AED 20 for children between 6 and 12 years of age. A Festival Family Pass is also available (2 adults + 2 children + 2 fast-track passes) for AED 290. Entry is free of charge for senior citizens and visitors (60 years and above), children below 6 years of age, people of determination, and Cirque du Soleil Bazaar ticket holders.

Cirque du Soleil is performing for the very first time in Abu Dhabi with its new show, Cirque du Soleil Bazzar. Presented by Alchemy Project in association with the Mother of the Nation Festival, the show will take place at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island until 16 March 2019. Tickets are available now from tixbox.com, and all ticketholders can enjoy free entry to the Mother of the Nation Festival.

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About The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi:

The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.  The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment.  Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.  The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage.  A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

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