Dubai: One of the most awaited events in the UAE’s calender is back — the Global Village, in its 22nd edition, will welcome visitors from Wednesday November 1.
To run until April 7, this international showcase of culture, heritage, shopping, food, fun and entertainment under the slogan ‘Come Experience the World,’ will this year feature a new concept — international cuisine and carnival along with the biggest funfair experience ever at Global Village.
Prices for fun fair rides in the carnival area will be reduced by 10 per cent this year.
The line-up of entertainment includes more than 20 blockbuster concerts with Arabic and Bollywood celebrities and artistes, and more than 12,000 cultural and entertainment programmes.
“We have worked on a number of enhancements and developments based on our Guest Journey Mapping studies and will be offering some of the best cultural and entertainment experiences in the region,” said Bader Anwahi, chief operating officer, Global Village.
More than 75 countries will be represented in 27 pavilions, with each pavilion showcasing authentic products and crafts, heritage corners as well as cultural performances. Two new pavilions debut this year — Bosnia and Balkans, and South Asia Pavillion (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal).
The introduction of the Carnival will be 2017’s key attraction at Global Village with 28 rides, 34 skill games and more than 100 arcade games in a new Arcade building designed as a carnival tent. Rides are divided into three categories: children, family, and thrill rides.
Every Friday at 9pm, the main cultural stage will host one of 20 Arab and international stars, with Abdulla Bil Khair set to take the stage on November 3. Other confirmed artistes include Tamer Hosny, Mohammad Al Salem, Shreya Ghoshal, and Mike Singh.
This year’s cultural performances will host more than 80 artistes selected from the UAE, Britain, India, and China after auditioning more than 1,500 performers.
“We look forward to welcoming our guests and have been working day and night to reach the highest levels of readiness and superior standards,” said Ahmad Al Marri, Director of Operations, Global Village.
Another much-anticipated performance is the Mega Monster Stunt Show. With new and bigger range of technologies, special effects, cars, bicycles and audio and video effects, the show will feature more than 30 stunt professionals, technicians and safety officials who will perform six days a week throughout the season.
This year, Global Village will also host 23 restaurants and cafés that include nine new cuisines from Mexico, China, the Gulf and Cuba. Guests can also sample the world’s best street foods at more than 120 kiosks.
Meanwhile, the 22nd season will also feature the ‘victory project’ competition, which will attract 15,000 students from more than 50 UAE schools. The students will design and decorate more than 3,000 ceramic tiles in the shape of the UAE’s unique victory sign of the three fingers salute. The designs will be displayed at Global Village to celebrate the 46th National Day, while three schools will win prizes of up to Dh100,000 for the development of their arts and crafts department.
Last year, during its 21st season, Global Village received 5.6 million guests, and achieved 9/10 in “Happiness Index” during its 159 days of operation.
