The weekend is upon us and you must be deliberating on what to do to make it a fun and memorable one. Let me step in and tell you exactly what you need to do, you need to visit the MOTHER OF THE NATION FESTIVAL in Abu Dhabi. There is so much to do and see and eat that a weekend is not enough and that’s why they have masterfully organized it until the 4th of April 2017. I visited on the first day of the festival which was this Sunday the 26th of March, and then I visited on Monday the 27th of March, I took a break on Tuesday and on Wednesday I am writing this article, well because you know it’s not going to write itself. And I will most probably go back on Thursday and Friday and Saturday, chill on Sunday. (Note: This sentence started as a normal one, but as I progressed Craig David’s song “Seven Days” started playing in my mind and I just had to finish it in the same style.) The festival is organized with the intent to acknowledge and appreciate the inspiring work and values of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak. Who is rightfully regarded as the Mother of this wonderful nation we call home. She has been a pioneer in establishing, maintaining and promoting women’s rights for equality and education. Instilling and endorsing leadership, independence and freedom of choice for women. The festival is located at the Corniche. Parking is available opposite Nation Towers, but I recommend that you arrive early in order to find a space; it took a minimum of 15 circles around the parking area, before we found free parking. Once you are parked, then it’s a long walk to the festival so ensure you are wearing comfortable shoes and carry a hoodie as it does get a bit chilly as the night progresses. As you walk through the pedestrian underpass, you hear the strings of the guitar serenading your steps to the fun-filled evening ahead. The festival is filled with color and music and excited children running around. The environment is inviting and relaxing, it encourages you to do what you please. If you wish to enjoy food, there is beach dining serving up delicious cuisine. If you wish to listen to music you have the option to hear contemporary music or the Arabic Orchestra, while relaxing on bean bags and under the starry night. If you feel overwhelmed with all the people and the activities then you have the tranquil park to rest up and drown out the noise. The festival focuses on environment and sustainability, and how we as residents of this planet can make a difference. MIYAH, a pavilion highlights the usage of water and how important it is for us to save water. It has an interactive touch walls that light up and you press on them, which I thought was quite awesome. The MOTN pavilion showcased achievements of UAE women from past to present. What stood out in there to me other than a lady, who passionately and charmingly explained to me about a photograph of Her Highness, was the yesteryear's cradle with the sound of a mother’s lullaby soothingly reciting the words of Maitha Said. It was a very creative artwork combining the power of poem and history and making it heartfelt and touching. Tickets are being sold for 20 Aed for Adults and 10 Aed for children. And the children are to whom the festival is mainly catering for. Rest assured; the young ones will have a great time. I witnessed children dancing to the beats of Ed Sheeran, children being taught Jiu Jitsu, playing chess, making lanterns, on see-saws that are illuminated, testing the patience of their mothers, LED Kite making, learning to grow their own plant, indulging in arts and crafts and resting on bean bags and under book trees and in tee-pees.
I am an adult and I loved every bit of it so imagine how much a child would love it. Rightfully from the mind of nive prem approved.
