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Abu Dhabi / Emirates Business
From thought-provoking discussions to educational installations, this year’s edition of the Mother of the Nation (MOTN) Festival is set to broaden the minds of residents and visitors to the UAE with new perspectives on a variety of topics including conservation, sustainability and social commentary.
Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and running until the 4th April, the second edition of the Mother of the Nation Festival extends over more than one kilometre on Abu Dhabi Corniche. In celebration of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak’s progressive vision for social empowerment in the UAE, the festival presents a wide range of interactive platforms designed to engage festival-goers with ongoing debates and discussions on contemporary issues that will resonate with future generations.
Among the new features intended to expand the educational offerings of the festival is Majlis: Interactive Conversations, a unique platform of talks, presentations, and workshops presenting progressive concepts designed to inspire younger generations. Featured topics for discussion include family, fashion, nutritional habits, lifestyle, and women empowerment, as visitors are invited to learn from industry experts, Emirati and regional female role models.
Installations demonstrating the nation’s rich history and heritage include the Mother of the Nation Pavilion, which communicates the achievements of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and generations of strong women that have shaped the UAE through a unique curatorial concept. Offering visitors a range of historical exhibitions and inspirational anecdotes, the pavilion highlights the impact of these influential women on the UAE’s development for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
Concepts for conservation, energy sustainability and scientific discovery can be found throughout the Progress Zone, such as Miyah – World of Water, an educational walk-through installation illustrating the UAE’s initiatives in addressing water distribution, desalination and scarcity issues.
Representing a true example of water sustainability, the zone’s ever-expanding Water Wall is materialising from used water bottles consumed during the Festival, creating a visually striking reminder of the importance of recycling. At the Planetarium, the Al Sadeem astronomy team explain how scientists use planetariums to explore the night sky and provide tips on how to identify the planets.
Ensuring that festival-goers engage with vital lessons about conservation, Tarsheed Village hosts a variety of educational activities for all family members that guides them through current challenges surrounding the scarcity of resources, imparting valuable information on how they can conserve both energy and water for a more sustainable future.
Festival details can be found at motn.ae, with the festival open from 4pm to midnight during weekdays and 2pm to midnight during the weekend.