Get set for the Dubai Shopping Fest

Dubai will once again be the world focus from 24 January to 24 February 2008, as international visitors flock to the city for the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. This year?s festival promises to better than ever with visitors set to enjoy 32 days of non-stop festivities, food and shopping as the whole of Dubai literally becomes one massive shopping mall and entertainment area.

Some of the shopping opportunities not to be missed will include a visitor to Dragon Mart and the Ibn Battuta Mall. The mall, themed around the travels of the legendary 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta, features six separately themed courts that reflect his travels through Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India and China.

Not only will visitors get a unique glimpse into the past, but superb discounts will be on offer from Debenhams, Go Sports, Apple, Lego, DG Sharaf, Aldo, Companys, Forever 21, H&M, TopShop and the best selection of mother and child boutiques in Dubai. The fast growing and hugely popular Night Souk will once again come alive late in the night, giving visitors the chance to bargain for the finest goods while enjoying entertainment, food and raffle draws.

To add to the festivities, Dubai Carnivals will once again feature top performers from around the world. Based on the concept of floats, it will feature four platforms ? each with a different theme, including Russian, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese ? set to entertain visitors at different locations throughout the city.

Let me entertain you!

Performers will include the famed Tanourah dancers, African artists, Indian folk groups, stilt walkers, clown, jugglers, and a host of Turkish, Serbian and Senegalese entertainers. The Arabic theme will feature flying carpets, Aladdin, camels, stilt riders and sand dunes while the Russian platform will emulate the design of old Russia and feature performers of Russian dances and warriors. The Chinese platform will have Chinese lanterns, traditional girls with umbrellas and Chinese warriors while the Japanese platform will exhibit traditional Japanese flowers and display white cranes symbolising peace and harmony.

Cultural activities are an integral part of the Festival and music lovers will get a real treat as local and world-renowned artists converge on Dubai during the Festival. From the nimble-fingered guitarist Carlos Santana to AR Rahman, popular for composing Indian film hits, the many artists will include Hariharan, Kailesh Kher, Chitra, the renowned percussionist Sivamani and, for the young generation, Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Sukhwinder Singh. Poetry enthusiasts will be treated to Sammelan and Mushaira at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium.

As always, visitors are in for tantalising cuisine at the best Dubai Food Festival ever. Free entrance means visitors are in for a real treat, ranging from dinners served with a side of entertainment, glitzy world records, mouth-watering menus, gourmet food tastings and demonstrations by top chefs. Themed food tents will feature cuisine from around the world including Mexican, Thai, Egyptian, Moroccan, Chinese, Lebanese and Indian as well as local food and sweets and much more.

Light up the sky

And, finally, no Festival is complete without spectacular fireworks. Set to once again dazzle visitors, Dubai will unveil some of the most advanced pyrotechnics used in the region yet with the highlight of the fireworks display around the Dubai Creek where a floating barge will launch around 300 fireworks per minute with colour, light and sound to every visitor?s delight!

The Ahlan Dubai call center will once again be in 24/7 operation providing visitors with information and the latest update on activities by simply contacting telephone 971 600 545555.

So, if you haven?t already booked your ticket and accommodation to Dubai, now is the time to act! For more information, visit the Dubai Shopping Festival website at www.mydsf.com.

(πηγή: travel.iafrica.com, 16/1/2008)