Abu Dhabi Festival to reach out to underprivileged children

The Abu Dhabi Festival, in March, will feature a component focusing on children from some of the country's most isolated communities.

The Abu Dhabi Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation and running next month, will reach out to underprivileged and isolated communities.

Now in its 11th year, the festival, which takes place from March 2 to 31, has a line-up of more than 50 free musical performances, workshops, exhibitions and lectures.

A highlight for some of the UAE’s less-fortunate youngsters will include a trip to Kidzania in Dubai. Children from Abu Dhabi’s Dar Zayed orphanage will be taken to the educational play centre to stimulate their creativity and social interactivity.

The British theatre company Oily Cart will also take up a week-long residency at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs. Established in 1981, and working mainly with children with profound learning difficulties, the group will deliver multi-sensory interactive performances and training for teachers.

Focused on underprivileged women, an initiative called Treasuring Traditions has been set up in association with the UAE Red Crescent’s entrepreneurial division, Al Ghadeer.

Led by female students from the University of Al Ain, workshops will attempt to teach women traditional handicraft skills and set them on the path to financial security and independence.