Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 releases exciting Calendar of Events

Dubai Shopping Festival 2003 has unveiled an exciting mix of more than 300 events activities, including events from the field of children's entertainment shows, art and music, shopping, raffles, sports, fashion and educational activities.

The Calendar of Events was announced today by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chairman of the DSF Supreme Committee, at a press conference held at Mercato Mall.

Releasing the Calendar of Events, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: "Today we have gathered at a new marketing landmark in Dubai, the Mercato Mall, which in a way symbolizes the progress that UAE has achieved in a short duration of time in all economic sectors. Dubai provides us a new place on every occasion we gather to announce new tourism events or activities. This only goes to show the Emirate's commitment to offer the best to its tourists and residents.

"Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of UAE and the instructions of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Defence Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE has spared no effort to succeed in its race for excellence and today through Dubai Shopping Festival, we are positioning ourselves, as one of the major tourism destinations not just regionally but internationally as well."

HH Sheikh Ahmed indicated that Dubai Shopping Festival has several new inclusions, the most prominent one being the change in the date - 15th of January to February 15th, 2003.

"In its eighth year, Dubai Shopping Festival is not only about shopping, but it is now a comprehensive tourism event, attracting visitors from all nationalities. Through DSF, Dubai tries to promote message of peace by bringing the world together under the stable of entertainment events that deal with subjects as varied as culture, art, history and several others," HH Sheikh Ahmed said.

"For the third year, the Festival is being organised on the theme of One World, One Family, One Festival, illustrating the success of the theme. The theme itself is very flexible, as it provides enough room for new ideas and events. Barring the few major events like Global Village, Carpet Oasis and the Fireworks, in its eighth year, DSF will offer creative and innovative events at various venues," HH Sheikh Ahmed said.

Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, Chief Executive Officer of DSF, added, "On the occasion of the UAE National Day, President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had said that the UAE looks forward to the future with optimism, confidence and enhanced determination to complete its efforts of building a modern state that is more responsive to the aspirations of its citizens for prosperity and progress. He also said that in spite of the formidable achievements that had been made, the country still has a long way to go, which makes it imperative for all to redouble efforts."

Dubai Shopping Festival is one of those formidable achievements that has managed to create a unique character since the last eight years, and indeed, this event has been created due to the efforts of the nationals. Today this achievement encourages us to contribute more and be committed to the event, which is line with our Ruler's instructions to enhance the image of our country.

"As we promise our visitors annually, we will launch new activities and events this year in varied fields like tourism, entertainment, culture, arts and sports, catering to every taste, irrespective of age or nationality. DSF 2003 comprises 300 activities, each chosen meticulously by the Organising Committee to render a new kind of excitement and to create a carnival atmosphere in the City."

This year, besides the Global Village, two new major events make their appearance on the DSF calendar - the Night Souq and the DSF Desert Camp.

The Night Souq will be the new oasis for shopping lovers. In a surprising format, this concept will extend shopping hours to the wee hours of the morning and provide shopping lovers an opportunity to shop for high quality brands at a relaxed time at discounted prices. The Night Souq located at Al Seef Street will open from 10:00 PM - 3:00 AM. 

The Desert Camp, a new tourism concept will be the new home for families who love the thrill of adventure, while discovering the beauty of the desert. The camp will comprise of forty-two tents located near the Mushrif Park, and families can rent these tents for stay.

DSF has achieved global success due to the international stature of its events. Continuing this trend, Dubai will live up to its international fame by being equal to a Paris or Milan by hosting the Dubai Haute Couture Week. During this week, some of the best names in international fashion will be hosted in Dubai.

Of course, art and music lovers have not been forgotten. Heading the list of the calendar of events will be the Lebanese ambassador of stars, Fairouz, who will perform at a concert organised at Dubai Media City. She will be accompanied with the composer, Ziad Al Rahbani, who will visit UAE for the very first time. 

Dubai Media City will also host eighty jazz musicians in the first Jazz festival being organised in any Arab country. Club Nokia beat machine will host the Disco Queen, platinum and Grammy Award singer, Gloria Gaynor as she makes her dramatic comeback on the international scene.

During Eid Al Adha, the city will be transformed into a giant carnival and every DSF visitor can participate in a chain of celebrations being organised at the Creek Park.

Popular events like the Global Village will be presented again with several new developments and the addition of new pavilions. The seminars and lectures calendar will also be jam-packed. Layali Dubai, an event we introduced last year, will feature many more superstars from the Arab world.

The Heritage and Diving Village will continue to be a major attraction of Dubai Shopping Festival by presenting the charming history of UAE in its unique manner. There will be several entertainment activities for children. The Sports Calendar will feature several international celebrities, and the Children's City will be one of the major attractions of this year.

Delightful streets

Another new aspect of the event will be the conversion of Sheikh Zayed Road into one of the DSF main streets, hosting several of its events. Given the fact that DSF begins with the Spring Holidays, our expectations of visitor turnout are very high. After the inclusion of Sheikh Zayed Road, we would be able to host several visitors at the various DSF main streets.

Family oriented activities will be the flavor of DSF with each street providing events and venues where every member of the family will find something of interest.

The Al Seef Street will feature the Al Seef Market, a colorful vegetable and fruits market and an open-air cinema 'Bollywood to Hollywood' which will show a selection of mass appeal films to an audience of 3000 people everyday. Al Riqqa Street will host African Circus and will also feature the Fun Fair Ground, a family entertainment area for children. Al Muraqqabat will feature the unique, Mexican Bull Fight show, an exciting new entrant to the calendar of events. Al Dhiyafah Street will be completely dedicated to the cause of sports with a Giant Games Zone.

Spectacular Fireworks

More spectacular fireworks will greet visitors and residents during Dubai Shopping Festival, offering one display every night, and special shows on weekends. A total of ninety shows are being planned during Dubai Shopping Festival 2003.

Culture and Heritage

The Global Village is one of the most important venues for the presentation of the One World, One Family, One Festival theme of DSF, as it brings together diverse cultures and societies to one location. Several new facilities will be provided at the Global Village, right from the beginning of the event on 15th January.

The Village will feature 30 pavilions representing different countries. Among the expanded facilities at the Global Village are a parking lot for 18,000 cars, almost double the capacity from last year, a Gold and Jewellery Court and a Health Zone.

At Heritage and Diving Village, the Bedouin Lifestyle Festival will features cultural activities depicting traditional customs in sports, religion and handicrafts of the people from the UAE.

The Carpet and Souvenir's Oasis 2003, taking place at the Airport Expo Dubai promises a rich collection of carpets drawn from the best carpet producing countries in the world, including Iraq, Uzbekistan, China, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and the UAE. This DSF, the Oasis will feature 77 pavilions.

Concerts from the world

Besides Fairouz and the Dubai International Jazz Festival, the concerts calendar of Dubai Shopping Festival features Layali Dubai, which will be enriched by several superstars from the Arab world and concert performances by Iranian stars, Arian, Shadmeher, Homaira, Mansour, Daryush and Ebi. Another breathtaking rendition will be 'Shakti' - The Energy Concert.

Exciting kids' fare

Dubai Municipality, which is reputed to bring some of the biggest children and family entertainment events to town during Dubai Shopping Festival will bring the Cartoon Town play and the Spirit of the Horse - two breath-taking sequence in which the spectators will see some amazing effects. The classic fairy tales of Beauty and the Beast will be brought to life using state-of-the-art lighting, sounds, costumes, sets and special effects.

Cinderella, the all-time children's favourite will be staged daily at Creek Park, while the Peter Pan Entertainment Show will be performed daily at Al Mamzar Park.

Street Carnivals and Parades

More than 300 street performers and folk artistes from around the globe will brighten up DSF venues and celebrate the theme One World One Family One Festival. With more than 32 spectacular parades, Dubai will offer more than a fair chance to be a part of any of these visual feasts. The Helicopters Parade, the Carnival Shows, the Baroques Show, Singaporean Lion and Dragon Show, the Stiltwalking Drumming Robots Show, the Egpytian Folkloric Show, the Funky Percussionist Show and the Venice Dream Parade are some of the activities, which constitute the elaborate calendar. 

The Dubai Shopping Festival main streets like the Al Seef Street, Al Dhiyafah, Al Riqqa and Al Muraqqabat Streets will be host to the parades. A line-up of the impressive Harley Davidson and their thrilled owners will impress those who are with fascinated with sheer machinery.

Of interest to children will be the inflatables parade, where more than 25 inflatable characters will walk on the streets interacting with children and creating a carnival atmosphere.

More than ten bands with sixty performers each will be a part of the GCC Band Parades, which will be organized once a week. These bands will capture the traditional and cultural aspect of the Festival.

Talent & Culture

The highly creative and innovative handmade products produced by some very talented local women as well as participants of other nationalities will be on display and sale at the House of Talents exhibition as one of the key events of DSF 2003. The House of Talents exhibition will take place at the Sheikh Obeid bin Thani House from January 15 to February 15, spread across a larger area than before. The women will showcase their talents in areas like interior decoration, fashion design, flower arrangement, paintings, jewellery, home accessories and even, food supplies.

DSF 2003 will see an extended array of sporting activities, which will appeal to a cross section of the visitors and guests of Dubai Shopping Festival. Appealing to all members of the family, these sports events and activities, will truly reflect the theme 'One World, One Family, One Festival'.

Over 50 championships will be organized on regional and international level. These championships will be organized in the following fields Ice Hockey, Football, Endurance Race, show jumping, Mini Soccer and Judo.

A number of conferences and exhibitions will be held during the Festival. Among the many conferences to be held are the Arab Health, Sign and Graphic Imaging - Middle East 2003, Middle East Electricity, Arab Lab Exhibition, Intersec, Tammoh Annual First Projects Exhibition, Kitchens and Bathrooms, Gulf Light and the Imaging and Photo Products Exhibition.

Raffles & promotions

Raffles and promotions offering fabulous prizes have been lined up by DSF 2003. The Lexus Mega Raffle will be presented in a completely new format, and the Nissan daily raffle will give away 32 Nissan Patrols, the top-of-the-range 4x4. Shoppers spending a specified amount at any of the participating outlets will be given a free raffle coupon for the daily draws. The participating outlets include most shopping malls, electronics stores, textile shops, garments stores, restaurants and EPPCO/ENOC stations. The amount on which the raffle coupon is given away is fixed by the participating outlets, and could range from Dhs 25 to Dhs 500 per coupon.

The popular Dubai City of Gold promotion will once again offer glittering prizes to shoppers spending Dhs 500 at any of the participating jewellery stores. The daily prize is 1 kilo of gold and one lucky shopper will receive a grand prize. Shoppers will also get discount coupons that can be used in all participating outlets.