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Down memory lane
Getting ready to welcome DSF 2008? We take you back through the years to the first shopfest in 1996.
- By Jyoti Kalsi, Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:41 January 23, 2008
- 1996: Bur Dubai readies for the first DSF.
- Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) was launched in 1996 with the aim of showcasing Dubai as a trade hub and tourist destination.
Like the city itself, DSF has grown rapidly and has become bigger and better in terms of the events, activities, venues, raffle prizes, visitors and total spending.
While its original goals have been amply achieved, the real success of the festival has been in the fact that it has evolved into a cultural, social and entertainment event where the world comes to Dubai not only to shop and win fantastic prizes such as luxury cars, apartments, gold bars and cash, but also to celebrate the culture, art, crafts, literature, fashion, cuisine, industries and heritage of every country in the world.
Themes
In 1998, DSF activities were based on the theme "Children of the world meet in Dubai".
"The biggest family gathering of the millennium" was the theme chosen for 1999. Since 2000, the festival's theme has been "One world. One family. One festival." and it has brought to Dubai world famous performers and sportsmen, international shows such as the Cirque du Soleil, events such as the Dubai Balloon Festival and the latest collections from leading international couturiers through Dubai Fashion.
Global village
Nothing signifies the "One World, One Family, One Festival" theme of the Dubai Shopping Festival better than the Global Village. Where else in the world can you buy Czech crystal, South African masks or Italian jewellery, watch Indian and Pakistani folk dances, taste Tunisian dates, Turkish coffee, Omani halwa and German breads, listen to live Moroccan and Bulgarian bands or Arabic poetry recitals, observe Iranian glass blowers, Afghani carpet weavers, Egyptian calligraphers and Iraqi artists at work, or try out the latest rides and games as well as hundreds of different cuisines — all in one area?
Launched in 1997, the Global Village was originally located along the Creek side on Baniyas Road. It was later moved to Oud Metha Road and then to Festival City in Garhoud before coming to its present and permanent location in Dubailand.
Whether it is culture, art, shopping, games, entertainment, raffles, good food or just the buzz of interacting with people from all over the world — there is something for everyone at the Global Village — Dubai's very own celebration of the diversity and similarity among peoples of the world.
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