It is what one notices most about this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF). It just doesn’t quit. From first thing in the morning till the wee hours before dawn, the activities run non-stop. There is an enormous amount to experience and surprises seem to be just around every corner. That’s the way the DSF organizers have planned it.
Take the opening ceremony for example. Pre-show publicity had advised that the event would be dramatic. That was certainly an understatement.
Sunset came and the city quieted a bit. Dubai’s Electricity and Water Authority cooperated in making it little darker than usual by arranging a temporary blackout of the buildings along one section of Dubai’s Creek. Then, suddenly bam! Shooting flames and lasers sliced through the velvet sky. Performers were dropped from a tower crane onto a stage set out in the water off the Creek Park. Ultralight aircraft flew overhead and a trapeze artist twisted and twirled, suspended from a glowing balloon. Out in the Creek, on the floating barge that was the focal point of the evening, the live bands Deep Forest and Urban Sax played techno music and recreated native rhythms from around the world. The musicians were joined by ballet dancers, acrobats and children.
Overwhelming everything though was the largest choreographed fireworks show ever seen in the region. Rockets were shot off Al-Maktoum Bridge and over the Creek. Speedboats spewed fiery payloads as they raced by. These were no distant glows of light and sound. Rather it was a beautiful, aggressive, in-your-face display. So many fireworks were launched during the opening ceremony’s finale, that momentarily it seemed like the sun had inexplicably risen over Dubai at 9 p.m. on Jan. 15.
This year the DSF planning committee has worked harder than ever to attract visitors to the Emirate. With the world caught up in economic and political uncertainty, finding ways to convince people to come out to the Middle East and spend money takes a lot of imagination.
The CEO of DSF, Muhammad Al-Nabouda, commented on the current volatile situation in the region: "We at Dubai Shopping Festival represent a pioneering tourism and commercial project that is focused on boosting the economic sectors. Of course, any political disturbances in the region will have a negative impact on the economy. However, our endeavor is to implement all DSF projects within the schedule in an oasis of stability and safety, and once again, deliver the message of peace and humanity through this event."
The dates of this year’s DSF had already been moved forward from March, based on surveys of Dubai’s merchants and the hospitality industry. This seems prescient in light of the current political climate. Al-Nabouda stated that the activities of DSF would continue through Feb. 15, even if military action commences in Iraq.
"As of now, not even British or American residents of Dubai have received letters from their embassies recommending that they leave," said Al-Nabouda. "In the event of any military strike on Iraq we would halt the big entertainments but the other DSF activities would continue. We couldn’t have dancing and singing with violence occurring in a neighboring country."
Al-Nabouda emphasized that DSF is evolving and is becoming as much associated with culture as commerce.
"We are no longer talking about shopping just for goods," he explained. "We are shopping for knowledge and shopping for culture. We don’t want to be constrained by a narrow definition of ‘shopping.’ In the end we are really shopping to energize Dubai."
Al-Nabouda’s statement might sound like a fancy marketing pitch, but fortunately for my charge card balance, it’s true. During three days at DSF, I only managed to go shopping, in the modern drop in at the mall sense, for three hours. This was not what I expected at an event theoretically dedicated to consumption. In fact as far as buying goes, the malls aren’t the most amusing places to shop at DSF.
Now before everyone gets too confused, let’s point out that merchants at shopping centers all over Dubai are offering discounts. And yes these are real markdowns because it’s not allowed to put up a festival sale sign unless the discount offer was approved by Dubai’s municipal authorities. Deira City Center, Burjuman and Wafi Center are packed on the weekends. So go to the malls early in the day and then move on to better pickings.
Naif Road is still the best place to buy electronics, garments and textiles. Karama has an impressive selection of fabulously fake goods, especially handbags. Shops on Khaled Bin Waleed Road stock every computer and IT accessory known to mankind. Carpet lovers should not miss the Carpet Oasis at the Airport Expo. Night owls will find a special welcome during DSF at the Night Souq, which has opened on Al-Seef Street. Every night, from 10 to 3, in an area covering over 10,000 square meters, shoppers can hunt for bargains among the wares of 50 top local and international brands. Most of the vendors at the Night Souq are offering their merchandise at very competitive factory prices.
While it was relaxing to stroll through the shopping centers, DSF’s Global Village is without a doubt the best place to go for a delightful spending experience, enhanced with a bit of food, fun and entertainment. Over 15 million dirhams has been invested in development at the Global Village site, which includes a fun fair, restaurants, and entertainment on a central stage. According to Khaled Al-Shafar, marketing coordinator, DSF, last year over 2.5 million people visited the Global Village and even more are expected this year.
The Global Village features the pavilions of 30 nations plus a jewelry pavilion. The attraction is open from 2 p.m. till 1 a.m. during the week, with extended hours until 2 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Some days, attendance is restricted to families. The pavilions are primarily from Third World nations in the Middle East, Far East and Africa. Afghanistan and Palestine are both represented and the pavilions of India, Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are among the favorites.
"At the Global Village, countries showcase the best of the goods they produce," explained Al-Shafar. "It’s an excellent opportunity all around. We allow the goods to be imported without being assessed the standard 5 percent duty. So the merchandise is an excellent value. All the items sold in a national pavilion must have some link with that country. We do not tell people what to sell, but we do request that countries bring a wide selection of both modern and traditional items of high quality. Not only do consumers come out to the Global Village, but many small businessmen also come out to survey the merchandise on offer. Sometimes new trading relationships are established."
Like anything, too much shopping, is not a good thing. So be sure to take in some of the great activities that really are the best part of DSF. The Shindagha Heritage Village is the venue for the Bedouin Lifestyle Festival. During the festival, visitors can join in the fun at an Arabian wedding and be fascinated by the complex work of Arabian craftsmen. Traditional bands including a troupe from Saudi Arabia will perform. Music lovers will find additional entertainment at the Creek Park where the Layali Dubai Concerts showcase superstars from the Arab world. Children will be held spellbound by the shows Cinderella at Safa Park, Peter Pan at Mamzar Park and Beauty and the Beast at Creek Park. Each of these theater productions lasts about 50 minutes. They are narrated in Arabic and English, and include music, dance, and cinematic and audio-visual effects.
Those visitors to DSF in search of something really unusual should not miss the "Bullfights with a difference," which are being held in a specially constructed arena located off Muraqqabat Street. Before any animal rights activists start writing protest letters, it must be pointed out that in these bullfights the animals aren’t harmed in any way, although the matadors might not be so lucky.
The Bullfight event has been developed to introduce residents of the Middle East to the sights and sounds of Mexico. During the show, which starts daily at 7:30 p.m., a Mariachi band plays and folk groups from around Mexico dance. Two matadors will show off the graceful, confident moves that people associate with bullfighting. Twenty-two bulls have been brought in for DSF. While the beasts had no comment to make on their anticipated performances, it seemed that the promise of being spared from the sword had not significantly improved their dispositions.
In addition to all the shopping and entertainment taking place during DSF, there are a huge number of prizes and raffles to be won.
Al-Nabouda put the total of the giveaways at over 100 million dirhams. The Lexus Mega Raffle will offer four top-of-the-line cars and 100,000 dirhams daily. There is also a weekly prize of one million dirhams. The Nissan daily raffle will give away 32 Nissan Patrols. The Gold and Jewelry Group are offering a golden chance to win prizes worth over 2.3 million dirhams, including a grand prize of one million dirham. Shopping malls and restaurants are also having daily draws in which customers spending as little as 50 dirhams will receive a coupon allowing them a chance to win.
People from around the world travel to DSF, but the GCC countries, especially Saudi Arabia provide the largest number of attendees. That said, visitors to DSF from the Kingdom should make arrangements for transportation and accommodation well in advance. Complete information concerning hotel packages, event timings and many other special offers is available online at mydsf.com.
One final note, especially for those folks coming to DSF and traveling by car. In a new innovation, it is possible to combine lights and glitter with a bit of the outdoors during the fine winter weather. DSF has launched an attraction called the Desert Camp, located near Mushrif Park. There are separate sections at the camp for families, men and women. Carpeted tents are provided at the nominal cost of 130 dirhams to 150 dirhams per night. Campers must bring their own sleeping bags and cooking equipment. Wood and water are provided free of charge. For those not interested in cooking, canteen facilities are open at the camp.
"Day or night during DSF visitors will be flooded with shopping and entertainment opportunities," said Al-Nabouda. "‘One world, one family, one festival,’ is more than the theme of DSF. It is a promise to give people the opportunity to live life to the fullest."
— Arab News Features 30 January 2003