DTCM to organise impressive array of cultural and entertainment events during Dubai Shopping Festival 2004

Dubai residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the interesting facets of Dubai’s traditions, heritage, and culture during the programmes lined up by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF-2004) starting January 15.

The multi-venue activities have been designed to offer the visitors insights into the emirate’s history, cultural richness, diversity, and social life of the yore, and the breathtaking modernity of Dubai.

The calendar of events in Al Shindagha, Hatta Heritage Village and other historical landmarks, was released at a Press conference held at the DTCM Head Office today.

The DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, said: “The programmes organised by the DTCM during the DSF are a major draw for the visitors from near and far every year. The department has introduced new programmes this year and improvised the popular ones to enhance the visitors’ experience.

He said the DTCM has been actively promoting the trend-setting annual shopping-cum-entertainment festival in the exhibitions and road shows in overseas markets, especially in the AGCC region which accounts for a significant number of guests during the DSF. 

Mr. bin Sulayem added: “I am confident that DTCM-organized events will bring people, especially children and families, in large numbers than the previous years. The whole idea is to educate the residents and tourists about our glorious past and the unfaltering efforts to preserve the invaluable heritage for the benefit of the future generations.”

The Press conference was addressed by Mr. Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmook, Senior Manager Heritage and Diving Village and Chairman of DSF-2004 Organizing Committee at the DTCM, Amina Mirza, Manager, Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House, and Mr. Khalid Ali bin Gharib, Manager, Hatta Heritage Village.

Mr. bin Dalmook said: “The events have been selected and distributed among the venues in a way that they entertain and educate maximum number of visitors. Our entire efforts are to showcase the best of Dubai’s heritage and culture in an authentic ambience. The bulk of the events are going to take place at the Heritage and Diving Village in Dubai.”

Throughout the month-long festival, visitors to the Al Shindagha site will be able to witness Bedouin Festival everyday, from 5 pm to 10 pm. January 18 will see the launch of the highly-popular enactment of Bedouin weddings of the Arab world.

The colourful and exciting programme will kick-off with Tunisian Bedouin wedding followed by Libyan (January 20th), Egyptian (January 22nd), Syrian (January 25th), Mauritanian (January 27th), Algerian (January 28th), Sudanese (February 1st), Yemeni (February 3rd), Jordanian (February 5th) and the UAE (February 10th).

The other daily highlights at the Al Shindagha are Bedouins Folklore Show, Arab Bedouin Traditional Lifestyle Products Exhibition, Traditional Games in Bedouin Village, and Arabian Bedouin Lifestyle Village.

These shows will be open to the public from 4.30 pm to 10 pm from Saturday to Wednesdays and from 4.30 pm to 11 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Heritage and Diving Village will be the venue of the 2nd Al Yowla Championship Cup from February 4 to 6, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Al Yowla activity will be a regular feature of the day’s programme at the Heritage Village from 5 pm to 7 pm. Another daily attraction will be an Old Souq which will remain open from 5 pm to 10 pm.

January 28 and 29 have been kept aside for the Shooting Championship at Al Ruweya. Visitors can also see an aquatic birds exhibition at the Diving Village everyday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and a fish exhibition daily from 5 pm to 10 pm at the Heritage Village.

The other interesting programmes scheduled to take place in Al Shindagha are Win-A-Pearl Competition, Heritage competitions, traditional pottery making, handicrafts show, parachute jumping sessions, horse shows, Build-the-Ship show, camel and horse riding sessions, Children’s Heritage Village, Fish Market, Construction of Old Houses, and Traditional Farming.

There will be daily performances by traditional local bands and Saudi bands, from 5 pm to 10 pm. The visitors will also be able to watch some professionals of the yore like Village Clerk, Pearl Merchant, and Farmer.

Daily programmes like Senior Citizen’s (Men’s) Majlis, traditional bands performance, a trade and handicrafts corner, children’s handicrafts display, Heritage competitions, face painting and stage activities, are among the events to be held at the Hatta Heritage Village, a picturesque town about 115 km from Dubai.

Mr. bin Gharib said the number of visitors to Hatta Heritage Village, given the pleasant weather and a variety of events, are expected to record phenomenal growth in 2004.

Ms. Amina Mirza said the region’s rich numismatic history will come alive at the 4th Antique Coins Exhibition at the Sheikh Saeed House. This event takes place every Wednesday from 5 pm to 10 pm. Poetry sessions featuring local talents will be held at the same venue on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 10 pm.

The Al Ahmadiya School will be the venue for a variety of programmes, including the opportunity to learn about Dubai’s traditional education system, vocational education, and Arabic calligraphy.

These programmes will take place from 4 pm to 9 pm every day. Thursdays will have the live display of handicrafts at the same venue from 5 pm to 6 pm.

The Dubai International Exhibition for Calligraphy will be the daily programme at the Sheikh Obeid bin Thani House throughout the month-long festival, from 4 pm to 9 pm. The 2nd Exhibition on Unified Family will be held daily at the same venue from 4 pm to 9 pm.