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Celebration of humanity |
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1/12/2007 10:28:11 AM |
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 Whether black, brown or white, there is something to learn and appreciate in each culture. Weekend met up with interesting people from different parts of the world, each person with his or her own story. Sue Steven reports
Here is a world represented in a village; not a city; peaceful, not chaotic; and spiritual rather than sensational. At the Global Village in Dubailand, time stands still as you experience different ethnic flavours — the art and cultures of various regions of the world. Music, dance, theatre, costumes and international cuisine, it’s all there. This is where cultural interaction and the spirit of sharing come alive.
With street parades, amusement, fun and games, this destination also manages to capture the spirit of an international marketplace. Here is a melting pot of cultures, colours, rhythms and the joy that humanity celebrates.
One World. One Family. One Festival.
Anne Dulie from Switzerland is in Dubai along with her friends Cindy Montersino and Stephan Li from France Dulie works in a hotel in Dubai. It is just six weeks since she arrived in the Emirates and she is excited about DSF. She says that she is impressed with the technology on offer, the people and the range of clothing that is available. “Dubai is a fun place,” she says, as her friends nod in agreement.
Canadian tourist Jeffrey MacMillan is in Dubai with his Russian friend Nastya Yashina to visit his mum who works in the Higher Colleges in Ras Al Khaimah. MacMillan says he visits Dubai during DSF. This time he has brought along with him a D80 Nikon SLR digital camera through which he captures images of different cultures to take home to Canada.
Devendra Kumar Blegotra is with his wife Jagruti and daughter Eshupriye. They have travelled all the way to Dubai from Azerbaijan. Jagruti says that she is fascinated with the city and that they are planning to invest in property in Dubai.
Such is the Dubai phenomenon that you have people from all corners of the world adding the Emirates to their travel itinerary.
At the same time, three generations of the Kishen Gandhi family are out enjoying the sights and sounds of the Global Village. Gandhi is here with his wife, son Dilip, daughter-in-law Deepa, daughter Heena and grandchildren.
He is quick to share that he came to Dubai in 1959 when the UAE did not exist. That time it was called the Trucial States and was ruled by the British. “There was no electricity and running water supply. I retired as Technical Sales Manager of African Eastern,” he informs. He even reminisces about the time when a visa had to be stamped while travelling to Abu Dhabi. A four-wheel drive was required then for travel between Sharjah and Dubai.
This is the magic of Dubai that long-time residents carry in their hearts and events like DSF evoke such nostalgia.
East meets West
UAE nationals showcase Emirati art and culture to visitors of Global Village at the ‘Art Village.’ University of Sharjah College of Fine Arts and Design Lecturer Jassim Rabia Al Awadhi is at the centrally located ‘Art Village’ with his students. He says that this is the first time that the Dubai Cultural Council is participating in the Global Village and in festival activities. “The Art Village adds value to the Global Village providing visual training to visitors about art,” he explains.
The whole concept is divided into four sections. The first one is the workshops. The Ministry of Education (MOE) participates in training students to use water colours. The second aspect is the exhibition for adults that includes photographs, calligraphy, paintings and sculptures. “The best part is that the art work will be rotated,” Awadhi says. The third aspect is the Studio run by the students of the college. Tourists can wear traditional outfits, learn about life in the UAE, and take images back to their home country.
“Two artistes will be drawing on the floor putting ideas together,” Awadhi adds. Here multimedia and audiovisual projections are managed by young artists and students.
Twist of fate
Ahmad Sukkar has a life story that he wants the world to know.
He sits in front of the Lebanon stand and paints names in Arabic within 10 minutes. This has been his profession for the last six years, which is doing oil painting on wood.
Sukkar is a Palestinian who lives in Lebanon. “I am a qualified lawyer, but being a Palestinian I cannot practise law and I’ve taken to painting to make a living,” he explains, as a national couple have their names personalised by Sukkar. He is in Dubai for the festival and will have to go back to Lebanon.
Glimmer of hope
Despite the political situation at home, the Iraq stand has several messages to convey to the world where a vast array of poignant artworks of Iraqi artistes is on display. They are very impressive and each one speaks for itself. Ayad Mohammad’s work is a combination of the old and the new. “The response in Dubai is good,” he says. There are unforgettable scenes of Ali Nehemas’ oil on canvas. If art is your cup of tea, then this exhibition is worth the trip.
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