Abu Dhabi, 21st February 2014 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union and of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, toured on Friday the venue of the 2nd Qasr al Hosn Festival.

Accompanied by Sheikhas, women ministers, women members of the Federal National Council and of diplomatic corps, Sheikha Fatima toured Qasr Al Hosn,which was built in the 1760s in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa Al Nahyan, and was briefed on the ongoing restoration works of the emirate's key landmark.

In 1797, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan transformed the watchtower into an impenetrable fort, while the Father of the Nation, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ordered a large scale renovation of Qasr al Hosn, transforming it from the royal residence into a museum and repository of collections relating to Abu Dhabi and the Gulf.

Sheikha Fatima and her accompanying delegation watched Cavalia at Qasr al Hosn, an innovative multi-disciplinary production created by Normand Latourelle, one of the co-founders of famed Cirque du Soleil.

Cavalia is a lavish production involving 50 magnificent horses and featuring 50 riders, aerialists, acrobats and musicians from all over the world. The show has been specially adapted for the Qasr al Hosn Festival audience, and is the first show of its kind to be performed in the region.

Sheikha Fatima also toured the festival's different stages, including the areas for activities and the old local market.

At the end of her tour, Sheikha Fatima praised the success of Qasr al Hosn Festival, thanks to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, who attach great importance to preserving heritage and celebrating history of the nation.

The Qasr al Hosn Festival is an annual opportunity for the UAE community and visitors to experience both the tangible and intangible heritage of the Emirate through a variety of fun and educational activities, designed to reflect over two and a half centuries of Emirati and Abu Dhabi history.

These activities, which build on the success of the festival?s first edition, present the fort in context and put Qasr al Hosn into the cultural life of Abu Dhabi today. They also strengthen our appreciation of Emirati heritage and identity.

The festival allows its visitors to experience this culture and history through interactive workshops and sessions on art and culture, demonstrations of traditional Emirati skills, guided historical tours and exhibitions, and a rare opportunity to explore areas of the ancient Qasr al Hosn fort.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.