Friday, Jan 29, 2010
Gulf News
Dubai To those of you who didn't know, we who live in Dubai spell fun as DSF.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is Dubai's sensational contribution to the world of commerce and tourism — the emirate's annual shopping, leisure and entertainment bonanza.
The Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment has come up with an exciting calendar of events for a landmark 15th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival, expected to run over 32 days, having started yesterday and ending on February 28.
‘Think big-DSF 2010' will involve the participation of more than 6,000 retail outlets and 40 malls.
FActfile
making Great strides
n Over the span of 14 editions, 35 million visitors have made their annual visit to Dubai to enjoy the DSF's massive shopping, leisure and entertainment offers. That has translated to about Dh74 billion in total spending.
n About 150 or more international and regional events are expected to be showcased during the 15th edition, which includes shows, musicals and concerts.
n DSF 2010 involves the participation of more than 6,000 retail outlets and 40 malls will put out spectacular shopping promotions during the 32 days of the festival.
n Malls will remain open to visitors from 9am to midnight on all days, while the night souk opens daily from 6pm to 2am or 3am.
n Sales rose by over 600 per cent in some outlets. Gold traders sold jewellery worth Dh10 million each day. The electronics sector did business worth Dh800 million.
n The 2009 edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival posted excellent visitor numbers and spending figures, despite the global downturn. A record 3.35 million visitors spent about Dh9.8 billion on average during the 32-day DSF 2009, in its 14th edition.
n The impressive and consistent results of DSF 2009 can be attributed to the collaboration between the public and private sectors in Dubai, towards ensuring success of the event — a major factor, pivotal in the success story of DSF over the years.
n From a small retail event with big ambitions to a massive tourism event that it is today, the DSF has taken great strides. The ongoing economic downturn may have slowed it down, as it has with other cities all over the world, yet Dubai remains on track in its quest to achieve what it has set out to do.
— L.G.
Islamic Affairs
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has set up stalls at shopping malls to offer Islamic books and pamphlets to appeal to prose lovers.
Competitions on memorising the Quran will be held. Booklovers can also grab a book about the UAE's rich cultural heritage at one of the countless bookshops in town. I mean, what the Dickens?
Jewellery
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to jewellery shopping in Dubai. It is the ultimate jewellery destination of the world, with hundreds of gold souqs adding to the glitter.
The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group is committed to sustaining Dubai's status as the ‘City of Gold'. They have been giving away one kilogram of gold every day during the festival over the previous years. If you have no hopes of winning a chunk of gold, at least buy some.
Kavi Sammelan
The Kavi Sammelan and Mushaira is a gathering of noted Hindi and Urdu poets from India and resident poets in the UAE. The event is a much-awaited occasion in Hindi literary circles in UAE and witnesses the participation of eminent social and literary personalities. Entry is strictly by invitation only.
Little Big Club Show
Coming to Dubai for its Middle East debut, the Little Big Club Show is the hottest children's attraction this DSF. It features 14 popular characters including Barney, Postman Pat, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, and Pingu. The event promises an exciting journey into the world of cartoon theatre through spectacular stage backdrops, songs, and narratives — all in one show.
Plays, performances
Banking on its ability to cater to a variety of age segments and tastes, numerous international shows are set to come to Dubai.
These include concerts by some of the best known international and regional artists. Nickelback, Arabian Heartthrob Tamer Hosni and Bollywood singer Sunidhi Chauhan will charm Dubai this DSF. Kuwaiti Play Bu Sara Fe Al Omara and the West End Musical Blood brothers are also worth looking out for.
Oasis
The DSF has an oasis to feature in the middle of a desert — but of a different kind. Carpet Oasis, the biggest carpet market in the region, is showcasing the work of artisans from Iran, Middle East, India and Turkey.
Buyers have the chance to choose from over 150,000 exquisite hand-made carpets and you can learn how carpets are made.
Night Souq
We in Dubai love to shop at all times, all seasons. And duh, it's a shopping festival after all. If you have shopped all day and want more to hoard, head off to the Night Souq, while the rest of the family is getting some shut eye. Clothing, cosmetics, shoes, bags, perfumes… it has them all in hordes.
Mohammad
On February 15, 1996, Dubai first showcased the mind-boggling vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai through the birth of the shopping-cum-entertainment mega event he called the Dubai Shopping Festival.
An entirely new concept, it re-wrote the history of tourism, shopping and entertainment in Dubai. Today, the festival stands as a tribute to the inherent vision, ambition and skill of the people of the UAE and Shaikh Mohammad.
Raffles
Since its inception in 1996, DSF raffles have awarded 542 kilograms of gold bars, more than 1,000 luxury cars, including 33 Rolls Royce, Lexus and Nissan models, and millions of cash prizes and gifts.
With around 6,000 retail outlets and 40 shopping malls participating, the DSF 2010 promises more. The Lexus Mega Raffle is the king of raffles — raffle enthusiasts stand the chance to win a brand new Lexus LS 460 luxury sedan and Dh100,000 in cash when they purchase a raffle coupon for just Dh200 in the Lexus Mega Raffle this DSF.
Only 5,000 such coupons will be sold a day thereby giving residents and visitors a greater chance of taking home winnings worth Dh450,000 daily.
To add to the excitement, raffle coupons during the week will be collected on the weekend for a special draw where one winner will walk away with a special custom edition of the Lexus LX 570 encrusted with five carat diamonds. The total worth of prizes exceeds Dh16 million with raffle tickets available at more than 100 locations across Dubai.
Another raffle highlight of every DSF edition, the Nissan Grand Raffle is giving shoppers the chance to win a brand new Nissan every day during DSF 2010.
To celebrate the 15th edition, the raffle is giving away a Nissan SUV daily in addition to three Nissan sedans over the weekend. The DSF raffle tickets can be bought from over 43 Eppco/Enoc petrol stations across the city as well as kiosks at various shopping malls.
Quo. Status Quo
Quo come to town this year. Every year, during the Gulf Bike Week, bikers from all over the region come down to Dubai to celebrate their love for everything on two wheels in a festive atmosphere.
Held in association with Harley Davidson, the event charms music fans, sports enthusiasts, and thrill-seekers of all nationalities and age group.
AhlanIf you are a tourist who is lost and wandering around with an Arabic handbook or if you are a Dubai resident, you will know by now that Ahlan means welcome. A warm welcome to the country's hospitality is what you will get from the Ahlan Dubai call centre. A good place to start, it provides all necessary information on the DSF and Dubai to visitors 24/7. Call Ahlan Dubai on +971 600 54 5555
Uwe, Ungaro or unique record?
The new concept of Dubai Fashion 2004 featured top fashion houses like Emanuel Ungaro. And in 2007, Sup Chef Uwe, president of the Culinary Guild and Master Chef of The Radissons, whipped up a buffet with no less than 101 soups, 101 salads, 101 appetisers, 101 main courses, and 101 desserts.
You can see or rather taste something of the kind this year — the Biggest Biryani Bowl will be cooked up by expert chefs at Global Village. It will weigh approximately 2.5 tonnes and include 1,200 kilograms of rice, 48 kilograms of masala, 155 litres of oil, 320 litres of yoghurt, and hundreds of kilograms of chicken.
If you were queuing to grab a copy of Guinness World Records, chances are that you might want to see your name in print in the next edition.
Every year, Dubai tries to break a unique Guinness world record as part of the DSF. The largest reading gathering/marathon, the longest game of Chinese Whisper, the longest line of footprints, the world's largest house key, the largest gathering of General Motors cars, the biggest mattress — we have had them all.
Talents
A unique exhibition for talented women to showcase their creative and artistic skills, runs as part of the DSF.
House of Talents has women showcasing their skill in handicrafts, music, jewellery design, photography, perfume making, poetry, make-up and hair styling. A visitor would not struggle to find the exhibition hall… a scent of oudh naturally leads visitors to stalls selling exquisitely designed Abayas and Shaylas, handmade jewellery, decorations, perfumes and gifts.
Stallions
This is your chance to learn about the origin of Arabian stallions, the world's oldest breed of horse, dating back to approximately 2,500 years. A unique exhibition offers information about references to horses in the Quran and Arab poetry over the years.
There are books and paintings and documentaries on the beautiful animal are being screened. A section of the exhibition provides information about the love for Arabian horses by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding president of the UAE, and the late Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai.
Variety entertainment
A wide variety of entertainment programmes are held at the Children's City at the Creek Park throughout the DSF days from 11am to 1pm and from 4pm to 9pm.
The activities include face painting, workshops, three children's plays a day in Arabic and English, group birthday parties and magic shows, in addition to the permanent exhibits at the different sections of the Children's City.
Reef Mall has transformed into a mega party zone, complete with balloons, streamers and with numerous party games, challenges and competitions held daily to entertain the entire family every day. Go on kids, have some fun!
The Walk at JBR
The Walk at JBR turns even more exciting during the DSF 2010. Highlights include the World of Jazz that will be held from February 3-9 as a prelude to the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival.
DSF 2010 also brings the celebrations back onto the streets during the 15th edition with festivities across three more prominent locations in Dubai — Al Rigga, Al Seef and Al Diyafah.
Each street or venue is being themed to reflect numerous aspects of DSF. While Rigga Street will comprise of fun fairs and rides, Al Diyafah will be decorated with stunning lights and Al Seef will take the art and culture theme.
Xtras — Fireworks and all that razzmatazz
There are several added extras that come in the DSF package and these include firework displays have become synonymous with the festival since its inception. The 15th edition will be no different with daily fireworks at the Seef area of Dubai Creek.
Yowla
What is a festival without some sport? Young UAE nationals compete in the ever-popular Fazza Yowla Championship held every year. Picture a traditional dance with rifles and swords, performed by the old tribes of the UAE to celebrate victory — that's the Yowla.
The championship also covers shooting and falconry competitions and is hugely popular among the youth.
For adventure lovers, Monster Trucks Dubai promises 60 minutes of adrenalin-fuelled motor mayhem that includes car crushing, motorcycle free-styling, ramp jumping, wheelie pulling, quad bike leaping and two wheel car driving that will leave visitors dumbfounded. Bungee jumping would be another adventurous option.
Zayed Exhibition
Learn about a great leader: Zayed University is continuing its project ‘Zayed, Enduring Legacy' at the Dubai Heritage Village in remembrance of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Items on display include a number of photos, books, information about the Al Nahyan family tree, personal items belonging to Shaikh Zayed, sculptures and poems about him — in addition to the screening of a special film about his life and accomplishments.
Ben Ten and a bunch of kidsDSF sticks to the theme ‘One World. One Family. One Festival'. As a result, emphasis is also given on providing visitors a complete holiday experience, which they can enjoy as a family. After wooing millions of children on television, Ben 10 comes to Dubai this DSF with ‘The Power of the Omnitrix' — a combination of Ben 10 Classic and Ben 10 Alien Force.
Carnivals/Creations Fashion ShowWhat do you fancy? A carnival or a fashion show? You can attend both. Performers include jugglers, stilt walkers, unicyclists, and musicians who will hit the streets and malls during every DSF weekend. The Carnival entourage of 150 performers — from Poland, India, Italy, Hungary, Egypt, England, Canada, Slovakia, and the United States, will be preceded by four live bands — Dixieland on roller skates, a marching band, a percussion group and the traditional Tannoura group. Or go to the fashion show aptly titled Creations.
Dubai's Malls
What better way to enjoy a shopping festival than by visiting a local mall?
Dubai Outlet Mall, a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2010 is offering discounts of between 30 and 75 per cent on their products each day. Customers can get amazing offers on fashion, electronics, accessories, furniture, homeware, sports gear, leather goods and jewellery.
The ‘Dream Big' raffle prize is the largest given by a shopping mall during this edition of the DSF, with Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre coming together in a joint promotion to offer one lucky winner the choice of their own Tuscan villa, a luxury sports car or a private yacht, all worth a startling Dh2 million each.
To participate in this joint initiative, all shoppers need to do is just spend Dh300 or more at any of the 800 stores across the two malls.
Dubai Festival City will host the Dubai Fringe Festival, which will feature free street entertainment and performers in key outdoor locations around the venue. In the international spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performers of all nationalities will bring their unique and award-winning shows to the event.
The ‘DSF Rocks at BurJuman' promotion is on. Shoppers who spend Dh200 at BurJuman during the DSF will receive raffle coupons which they can use to enter a draw to win Range Rover Sport cars.
In addition to this, the first 20 shoppers who spend Dh1,000 or more every day during the festival will also receive a gold biscuit worth more than $100 (Dh367.3).
Eating healthily: too big or not too big?
Supported by the Ministry of Health and Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, Family Health Festival is into its second year. Based in shopping malls across Dubai, numerous initiatives such as health workshops, seminars, fitness workouts, and free health checkups are part of the programme, with special focus on eating healthy, exercising and tackling obesity.
Family Camp by Watani
The camp organised by Watani, is a perfect getaway from the city — families can rent out tents for days or choose activities designed for adventure enthusiasts. Attractions include camel rides, quad bikes, and horse riding, in addition to barbecue facilities and kiddie rides.
Global Village
The Global Village is synonymous with DSF — it is the perfect venue for souvenir shopping. You can see the world through 31 pavilions, 45 cultures, and around 6000 cultural shows and performances. The venue will provide a unique experience for shoppers and families alike with attractions including the Chinese Flying Poles Show, a stunt performance called Bounce!, and cultural shows from Africa, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, the United States, the Philippines, and Palestine.
Heritage spots
If you are the kind that loves museums and culture, a visit to Heritage Village must definitely be chalked into your diary.
It offers glimpses into the Emirati life — traditional food, old living quarters, a life-size replica of a dhow, Bedouin artefacts and souvenirs. Or go to a mock wedding for which you do not have to dress up. The Heritage Wedding highlights the traditions and customs associated with wedding ceremonies of several Emirati tribes.
Or you can catch a glimpse of the hustle and bustle of a Persian marketplace at Al Seef Street. Visitors to Al Shindagha Square will be treated to a journey down memory lane with glimpses of an Arabian courtyard, ancient coffee houses, general seating, and ancient mosques.
By Linda George
Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
