Abu Dhabi Launches Middle East’s First Outdoor Children’s Biennale in Umm Al Emarat Park

Event Overview and Theme

The Biennale’s theme is “How the World Feels”. Children are encouraged to engage with the park by touching, listening and moving among its trees and open spaces, uncovering the narratives embedded there. The initiative is organised by the Abu Dhabi Festival in collaboration with National Gallery Singapore, Umm Al Emarat Park and Salayel Hospitality.

Installations and Artists

The Biennale presents eight interactive installations. Seven are newly created by Emirati artists: Alia AlShamsi, Aya Afaneh, Hana El-Sagini, Moza Almatrooshi, Moza Almazrouei, Meera Almazrooei and Nada Almosa, who worked together with UT‑R Studio and Sarah Afaneh. These pieces examine topics such as nature, biodiversity and Emirati culture and heritage. The eighth work comes from Indonesian artist Eko Nugroho and is entitled “Kenangan Kunang‑Kunang” (“Memories of Fireflies”). It draws inspiration from traditional Eastern Javanese lanterns, debuted in Singapore in 2019 and is being shown in the UAE for the first time, representing National Gallery Singapore’s inaugural regional collaboration. The curator of the show is Dana Almazrouei.

“Children are not just visitors to this park – we want them to be its custodians,” curator Dana Almazrouei said.

She said each artist was asked to consider how a child would experience the work and what the child might take away from it.

Workshops, Tours and Panel Discussion

The Biennale forms part of the UAE’s 2026 Year of Family, offering activities for families and schools. Schools may reserve morning guided tours for the duration of the exhibition. Families can attend artist‑led workshops starting at 6:30 pm on 6 and 7 November and again on 13 and 14 November, with sessions covering drawing, weaving, lantern making and sound exploration. On Friday, 20 November, a panel discussion entitled “From Place to Belonging: How Art Shapes the Way We Feel the World” will take place at the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial’s main hub in Mina Zayed. The event also underscores that Umm Al Emarat Park has served as a community gathering spot for more than ten years.

Patronage and Park Legacy

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, together with Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, extend their patronage to the Biennale.