HAPPENING 22 March 2026 | The beloved elephant Olli returns to the stage for a new family concert with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. On Sunday 22 March 2026, the concert hall of De Doelen transforms into a musical playground for Olli begint een orkest — an imaginative production for children aged four and up.
The story follows Olli, the bravest elephant in the Netherlands, as he sets out to become a street musician in the big city. Along the way, he meets other musicians who join him in forming a joyful travelling orchestra. But when the city’s pigeons ban music, Olli and his friends must unite through the universal language of melody and rhythm to restore harmony to the streets.
A Rotterdam story in music
Based on the picture book Olli begint een orkest by Didi Bok and Hein Mevi, the production is a collaboration between the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and RAAF muziektheater, featuring Nina Elisa Euson as Olli. The performance combines live orchestral music, theatre and interaction, inviting children to sing, clap and dance along.
The show’s signature tune, Wij zijn een rondreizend orkest, is available online with lyrics and a video so young visitors can rehearse at home before joining in at the performance.
A local icon returns
Olli is more than just a storybook character — he’s part of Rotterdam’s heart. Originally created as a plush mascot for Diergaarde Blijdorp, the cheerful elephant became an instant sensation in 2013 when sales of nearly 10,000 Olli toys helped save the zoo from financial trouble.
Since then, Olli has grown into a true city icon — the official mascot of Feyenoord, the star of an ASR insurance campaign that won a Gouden Loeki, and even a character with a talent agent in Los Angeles. The Olli books have been translated into several languages, spreading Rotterdam’s favourite elephant’s charm far beyond the city.
Event details
📅 Sunday, 22 March 2026
🕓 Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra @ De Doelen
👧 Recommended age: 4+
🎟 Tickets: €12.50 (children) / €21 (adults)
🔗 Book via: rotterdamsphilharmonisch.nl/agenda/olli-begint-een-orkest
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