The fifth edition of the Mother of the Nation (MOTN) festival will be welcoming excited visitors from the 9 - 18 December, with the 2021 event offering a thrillingly updated, family friendly experience filled with jaw-dropping fun, fascinating activities and a packed schedule of A-list, star-studded concerts as it returns to Abu Dhabi’s Corniche this year.
With a stacked agenda featuring top-tier international and local artists, breathtaking installations, spectacular luxury retail experiences and fun-filled activities for all ages, the annual festival will showcase a variety of unforgettable activities across six themed zones: Inspire Space, Thrill Zone, Food Hub, Music Arena, Shopping District, and Amusement Park.
The festival, which is organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), will run in line with the Go Safe Certification, a unique programme also launched by DCT Abu Dhabi to enforce global standards of safety and cleanliness at hotels, attractions, events and venues across the emirate.
One of the key highlights of the festival will be the ‘Inspire Space’. The awe-inspiring zone will host a series of Instagrammable rooms designed by various UAE-based artists, taking visitors through an adventurous journey based on 50 years of the UAE’s history. Additionally, the zone will also feature a truly insta-worthy experience with its Dessert Museum, a MOTN Funhouse, and a special section celebrating manga and cosplayers.
MOTN festival will also host the cartoon world of Nickelodeon, which will include the much-adored Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and other activations as part of the extravagant ‘Amusement Park’ zone. The stunning sunflower-themed zone has taken inspiration from some of the most recognisable theme parks in the world, housing a series of fun activities such as the Diggers Lab, children’s play park, exciting carnival rides, games, and a fascinating performance by world-famous YouTube kid influencers Vlad & Niki.
Flying in from South Africa, sculptor Daniel Popper will also be paying homage to the festive celebrations by curating a one-of-a-kind exclusive installation at the festival’s ‘Food Hub’. Aligning with the sustainability theme, the larger-than-life art piece is entitled Nuture and symbolizes the importance of self-nurturing and the human relationship with Mother Earth, which requires our urgent attention. Popper is globally known for his figurative sculptures and magnificent public art installations, which have grabbed attention at the Burning Man and Tulum Festivals.
Ready to excite thousands of fans and music aficionados alike, the festival’s ‘Music Arena’ will welcome globally and regionally known stars to its stages for a series of concerts headlined by Egyptian superstar Sherine.
As part of a specially curated culinary experience, MOTN’s ‘Food Hub’ will bring to the table a massive spread of delectable menus selected from some of the best local and global F&B vendors, who will be making their debut in the UAE’s capital city. The zone will further provide visitors with a bespoke high-end dining experience that offers them healthy and delicious dishes, paired with eye-catching and truly ‘Instagrammable’ décor in its seating area.
Families will also be invited to MOTN’s ‘Family Stage’ within the Amusement Park space showcasing exciting performances that kids will love, which will include jaw-dropping chair-stacking acts, fire fiesta, tribal drum circle, stage shows by kids, Rola Bola Acrobats, afrobeat dancers, mummy & me dance fit, hip hop cardi class, and much more.
Shopping fans will further enjoy numerous global and local retail experiences at the festival’s ‘Shopping District’ with the inclusion of brands such as Off White, Balmain, Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and other brands; all of which will bring an added layer of luxury to the shopping experience.
Guests can also prepare themselves for an action-packed adventure at the festival’s steampunk themed ‘Thrill Zone’ which includes skate & parkour park, horror rooms, VR gaming hub, the famous Rick & Morty Lazer Tag, Jeep Track and more family friendly activities in the ‘Amusement Park’; such as the educational art and crafts workshops, play areas and interactive games.
HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The MOTN Festival aims to deliver a unique and highly interactive atmosphere that welcomes families and individuals from all backgrounds, reflecting the diverse community and spirit of the UAE. We are thrilled to be providing a wide array of never-before-seen entertainment through performances, workshops, dining and retail offers, and activities for the entire family to enjoy over the course of 10 days. The fifth edition of the festival will be our biggest yet, and we cannot wait to welcome guests to further cement the UAE’s reputation as a leading entertainment destination.”
Held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Corniche, MOTN festival will run from December 9 to 18, 2021 from 4pm to 12am on weekdays and from 2pm to 12am on weekends.
Guests can visit MOTN website on www.motn.ae and follow their social media channels for updates on the festival’s timings, prices and latest news.
