Centred around the historic Qasr al Hosn Fort, the festival will run from February 28 to March 9, 2013, brings to life the history of Abu Dhabi’s oldest building and the emirate’s history and culture through a host of events and interactive activities, including a world-class live entertainment show, a historical exhibition, an interactive experiential zone and a series of educational talks. The festival also features live demonstrations of traditional arts and crafts, interactive workshops, souk stalls, food and beverage outlets as well as smartphone QR content.
The ‘The Story of a Fort, Legacy of a Nation’ Show
Designed by world renowned artistic director Franco Dragone, the creative mind behind ‘Celine Dion, A New Day’, ‘Le Rêve’ and most recently ‘The House of Dancing Water’, this live show is a spectacular fusion of culture, tradition and art. Designed as a rich visual poem celebrating over 250 years of Emirati history through an unforgettable combination of music, performance and special effects, the show brings together an international cast of dancers, acrobats and gymnasts, as well as Emirati performers.
Qasr al Hosn Experience
An opportunity for visitors to embark on a journey of Abu Dhabi’s history and to experience four key themes reflecting the lifestyle of the emirate’s community - the ‘Sea Corner’, the ‘Desert’, the ‘Oasis’ and the ‘Abu Dhabi Island’.
The Qasr al Hosn Exhibition
Featuring a collection of video memories and artefacts depicting the nation’s history, the exhibition talks about the fort’s historical significance as well as the leadership’s role in emphasizing sovereignty and influence within the region.
Muntada Qasr Al Hosn
Running for three days as part of the festival, the Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan al Nahyan Foundation will host its well-known series of talks in English and Arabic – Muntada, featuring unique accounts of what Qasr al Hosn means to the people of Abu Dhabi and how the emirate’s history is likely to shape its future.
For more information about the Qasr al Hosn Festival 2013, the fort, for a full programme of events and to buy tickets please visit
wwww.QasrAlHosnFestival.ae