The 22nd Edition Of Abu Dhabi Festival Goes Beyond The Stage To Inspire More Than 1,500 Students Through Its Community Outreach And Education Programme

Under the Honoraryfounding patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Founding Honorary Patron of Abu Dhabi Festival, and under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Festival 2025, hosted by Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), engaged more than 1,500 students from public, charter and private schools in Abu Dhabi through its comprehensive Outreach Programme, highlighting ADMAF’s continued investment in the nation’s youth and their aspirations.

Her Excellency Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Abu Dhabi Festival,emphasised the important societal role of the educational programme within the Abu Dhabi Festival, reflecting the values of cohesion, solidarity, and unity in the UAE’s Year of Community. 

Her Excellency said: “The Year of Community brings us together under the inspiring slogan ‘Hand in Hand,’ honouring the vision of our founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and working to enhance humanity and community solidarity with the guidance of our wise leadership, through all our initiatives that with initiatives that foster knowledge sharing and inspire free and renewed creative thinking.” 

H.E. continued: “Our education programmes target students from both public and private schools, as well as partnership schools, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi.  This reflects our continued commitment to investing in youth, developing their capabilities and skills, and enabling them to achieve their dreams and ambitions. By giving students access to national platforms that support their innovative ideas and boundless aspirations, we provide incubators for creativity and innovation – dedicated to developing, nurturing and showcasing new talents.” 

“Culture is the core of our identity, and it is also the source of our aspirations and through it we communicate and engage in dialogue. It embodies who are ancestors were, who we are and what we aspire to be. It preserves the past and shapes the future, in essence, culture is what connects us all as Emiratis, as Arabs, and as human beings,” H.E. concluded. 

The Outreach Programme includes over 10 initiatives and has been a key part of the Abu Dhabi Festival since its inception. The wide range of educational activities empower youth to realise their ambitions in the arts by fostering innovation, encouraging free, creative thinking and nurturing emerging talent. The programme aligns with Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, which seeks to create a more balanced society and enhance the wellbeing of future generations through cultural sustainability.

This year’s theme, “Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,” aligns with the UAE’s “Year of Community” and celebrates inclusivity through cultural education. Students from public, charter, and private schools participated in different activities that deepened their connection with the arts throughout the Festival. As part of the Festival in Focus initiative,students were invited to the artists’ open rehearsals for an exclusive access to world-class performances, offering a rare insight into artistic preparation.Students from private and public schools attended an open rehearsal bythe New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the legendary Maestro Yutaka Sado, during the Festival’s opening performance.  Almost all the Festival’s artists welcomed students into rehearsals this year, including Katia and Marielle Labèque, Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra, Kodo and the All-Star Ballet Gala.

“Our students have gained much from their experiences in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Festival, such as being part of an invited audience watching the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. We are very much looking forward to joining the upcoming events in Term 3. These experiences are invaluable for our young children to see and take part in as many cultural initiatives as possible, so they can broaden their understanding of the world while developing an appreciation for art and creativity,” said Mr. Graeme Kinkead, Principal, Muna British Academy.

Furthering the Festival’s mission to nurture future creatives, the Back-to-School initiative provided students with direct engagement opportunities with world-renowned artists. Performers from New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra visited a school in February, giving students an up-close musical experience. Additionally, Yamen Saadi, Sarah Fernández, and Riley Mulherkar visited schools for intimate, interactive performances, where students asked questions and gained deeper insight into their craft.

Through the Festival Masterclasses, students were given the opportunity to deepen their artistic skills with world-renowned performers as their mentors. Notable sessions included masterclasses with cellists Kian Soltani and Pablo Fernández, a practice led by performers from the All-Star Ballet Gala, and a rare one-on-one mentorship with Javier Camarena with students from New York University Abu Dhabi and the British School Al Khubairat.

Throughout the Festival, young Emirati talent is nurtured through the Young Media Leaders (YML) programme, an ADMAF initiative designed to equip university students and recent graduates with practical experience and a deeper understanding of the local, regional and global media landscape. As part of YML, the Artists’ Studio initiative offered aspiring journalists the opportunity to interview featured Festival artists, including musicians from the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, KODO, and trumpeter Riley Mulherkar. This year, the Abu Dhabi Youth Orchestra and emerging Emirati performers also shared the stage with international talent in the Emirati and Friends on Stage concert, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi Festival’s commitment to shaping the UAE’s cultural future.

To engage younger audiences, the Festival presented a range of interactive and age-appropriate experiences. The UAE Theatre Circle returned with The Jungle Book Musical, an energetic production designed for children aged four to eleven, introducing them to the magic of musical theatre. Another highlight was My First Concert, led by musicians from the Korea National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra (KNUA), and held for the first time as part of the Festival. More than 15 babies and toddlers under the age of three, accompanied by their parents, participated in a gentle and immersive musical session designed to foster early appreciation for music while supporting emotional and cognitive development. Another early year’s programme, Symphony Storytime, held at a public school, delighted children aged three to five with a unique blend of symphonic music, storytelling, and play.Elsewhere, KNUA performed in a special Matinée concert exclusively for students, featuring violinists Haewon Yoon and Hyeonwoo Kim, violist Yoonseo Jo, and cellist Ahyeon Cho.

In addition to performance-based engagement, the Festival also encouraged intellectual growth. Under the Riwaq Al Fikr – ADMAF Talks series students attended talks and lectures by world-renowned musicians, composers, conductors, and industry experts. This year, 150 students attended the series featuring Japanese architect and 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, Riken Yamamoto,and over 200 students participated in a discussion on creative industry careers with Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director, Sir Clive Gillinson.

For more information about the Festival and initiatives, visit www.abudhabifestival.ae.