More than 400 children and family members attended a live performance of Peter & The Wolf in Abu Dhabi, introducing young audiences to classical music through storytelling.
Children discover classical music through storytelling
Children and families in Abu Dhabi experienced live orchestral music through a special performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter & The Wolf, held at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi on 14 November.
The event brought together more than 400 attendees and was organised through a collaboration between the Ministry of Family, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and the UAE National Orchestra.
Part of the Orchestra’s Once Upon a Tune family concert series, the performance introduced children to different orchestral instruments by using music to represent characters in the story.
As Peter’s adventure unfolded, young audiences could hear how different melodies, rhythms and sounds express emotions, build suspense and bring characters to life without words.
Children get the chance to conduct an orchestra
The performance also included a special ‘Be the Conductor’ segment, where children met conductor Alexander Marinesku and learned about his role in leading an orchestra.
The interactive session gave young audiences an opportunity to understand how musicians work together to create a live performance.
The initiative reflects efforts to introduce children to arts and cultural experiences from an early age, while giving families opportunities to discover music together.
Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said Early Childhood Week highlights the importance of creating environments that support children’s growth and development.
She also emphasised that early childhood development extends beyond education and childcare to include experiences involving play, arts, culture and family interaction.
Early Childhood Week 2026 features 300 events
The concert was held ahead of Early Childhood Week 2026, which runs across the UAE from 16 to 22 November under the theme ‘Every Moment Matters’.
The nationwide initiative will feature around 300 events and experiences organised with more than 130 partners, bringing together families, communities and organisations to highlight the importance of children’s early years.
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the UAE National Orchestra, said: “A nation’s cultural strength is measured not only by what it creates, but by who it brings into that journey. The UAE has built world-class cultural institutions, and our responsibility is to ensure every young person sees them as spaces where they belong, can explore and find their voice.
This requires a shared commitment across culture, education and community moving in the same direction. Through our partnership with the Ministry of Family and Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, we can make the arts part of growing up, nurturing not only future audiences, but the artists, thinkers and creative leaders who will shape the UAE’s future. In the Year of the Family, we also recognise the pivotal role families play in making culture part of everyday life and passing an appreciation of the arts on to future generations.”
The programme is led by the Ministry of Family in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. PureHealth Holding, Emirates Telecommunications Group Company (Etisalat) and the National Academy for Childhood Development are supporting the initiative as Community Builder Partners.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
