Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental unites with Qasr Al Hosn & House of Artesans to Celebrate Emirati Women’s Day

Spaces for each workshop are limited to 15 participants and registration is recommended to ensure availability so hurry

In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi is partnering with Qasr al Hosn and House of Artisans to unveil an immersive pop-up experience beneath its iconic Grand Dome.

In line with this year’s theme, Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years, the collaboration will see Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi’s oldest and most significant heritage site, and House of Artisans, a platform dedicated to preserving and promoting Emirati intangible cultural heritage, host a series of dukhoon and perfume making workshops and demonstrations. Guests will be invited to engage with age-old traditions in a luxurious setting, with experiences offered on a complimentary basis and open to all.

Using natural ingredients such as sandalwood, oud and rose, artisans will showcase the traditional techniques used to blend, infuse and shape raw materials into scented creations that are both personal and symbolic.

While the demonstrations offer the chance to observe these time-honoured practices, the workshops invite deeper participation, allowing individuals to experience the process first-hand. Passed down through generations of Emirati women, these rituals reflect an important part of the nation’s cultural heritage. Each participant will leave with a bespoke creation, a meaningful keepsake rooted in tradition.

Spaces for each workshop are limited to 15 participants and registration is recommended to ensure availability.

The Details

Demonstrations: 12 to 6 pm
Perfume marash workshop: 1to 2 pm
Dukhoon workshop: 3 to 4 pm 
Location: The Grand Dome
Date: Thursday 28 August
Price: Complimentary

Qasr Al Hosn is the oldest and most significant building in Abu Dhabi, featuring the city’s first permanent structure, a coral and sea stone watchtower built to protect the settlement of Abu Dhabi established on the island in the 1760s. Today, it represents a museum that encapsulates the development of Abu Dhabi from a maritime settlement to a modern, global metropolis, with displays of artefacts and archival materials.

Located within Qasr Al Hosn, House of Artisans contextualises traditional crafts within modern objects and experiences. Through a wide range of collaborations and products, it ensures local artisans’ techniques are preserved and celebrated, allowing these timeless crafts to find new resonance in the present day.

This interactive celebration brings to life the artistic legacy of Emirati women, beautifully reflecting the 2025 theme: Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years. Two cultural landmarks are united in this moment: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, with its deep-rooted connection to local tradition, and Qasr Al Hosn, a monument to the nation’s enduring heritage and resilience. To register for one of the workshops, please confirm your attendance at https://forms.office.com/r/iQ0mgYriM9.