Abu Dhabi Festival Unveils Middle East’s First Outdoor Children’s Biennale
Under distinguished patronage, Abu Dhabi Festival transforms Umm Al Emarat Park into an immersive landscape of creative discovery, presenting eight interactive installations designed to inspire young minds through play, imagination and engagement with nature.
Under the esteemed patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Higher Committee of the Ataya Initiative, Abu Dhabi Festival unveils the Middle East’s inaugural outdoor Children’s Biennale, a transformative artistic endeavour that reimagines creative learning and family engagement.
Unfolding from 6 November to 6 December across the verdant expanse of Umm Al Emarat Park, this remarkable initiative presents a carefully curated collection of interactive installations conceived around the evocative theme ‘How the World Feels’. The Biennale invites young visitors to assume the role of devoted stewards of the park, fostering curiosity and encouraging the discovery of narratives woven into the landscape’s fabric.
Developed through a landmark partnership with National Gallery Singapore and presented in collaboration with Umm Al Emarat Park and Salayel Hospitality, the Biennale showcases eight immersive installations that engage the senses through touch, sound, movement and luminous displays. Each artwork has been thoughtfully designed to transform the park into an enchanting realm of creative possibility, where playful exploration becomes a profound instrument for intellectual and emotional development.
The exhibition celebrates an important milestone in Umm Al Emarat Park’s distinguished history, honouring more than a decade of cultivating community bonds and fostering family connections through educational programming, recreational opportunities and restorative engagement with the natural world. The programme embraces the UAE’s 2026 Year of Family through an extensive calendar of family activities, educational workshops and specialised school tours.
Under the visionary curation of Dana Almazrouei, seven newly commissioned installations have been crafted by a distinguished collective of UAE contemporary artists: Alia AlShamsi, Aya Afaneh, Hana El-Sagini, Moza Almatrooshi, Moza Almazrouei, Meera Almazrooei and Nada Almosa in collaboration with UT-R Studio, alongside Sarah Afaneh. These exceptional works celebrate the remarkable depth and dynamism of the UAE’s vibrant creative community whilst placing children’s perspectives at the conceptual centre of the experience.
The installations, thoughtfully positioned amongst the park’s trees and open spaces, encourage visitors to engage through tactile discovery, sonic exploration and embodied movement through often overlooked environments. The artworks investigate profound themes encompassing ecology, biodiversity and humanity’s intricate relationship with the natural realm, whilst simultaneously drawing upon narratives connected to Emirati cultural heritage and traditions.
The Biennale further enriches its global cultural dimension through a significant presentation by internationally celebrated Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho. His immersive installation, Kenangen Kunang-Kunang (Memories of Fireflies), draws inspiration from traditional Eastern Javanese lantern craftsmanship and extends its reach to new audiences through a distinguished partnership between Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and National Gallery Singapore, marking the institution’s inaugural regional collaboration.
Source: WAM