Dubai: A visit to the Turkey Pavilion at Global Village this year can be a chance to experience what it is like to be in one of the largest markets of Istanbul.
This season, the Turkey Pavilion transports its guests to one of the oldest and largest covered markets of Istanbul known as the Kapali Carsi or ‘Grand Bazaar’.
Emulating the rich and prominent bazaar of the Euro-Asian city, guests are welcomed through the Nuruosmaniye Kapisi Gate adorned with a ‘tughra’ (the imperial sign from Sultan Hamit II), into the vivid and colourful atmosphere of the famous old bazaar.
The pavilion is a go to place for bazaar style items and for those who would like to brighten up their home with exotic and beautiful, artistic Turkish goods. The stalls, known in Turkish as ‘Dolaps’, provide a diverse range of authentic products. From beautiful handmade Turkish glazed lamps, tiles and pottery, to ‘gulu’ (rose) perfumes and oil, ceramic home decor to bedding sets and Ottoman design stylish shoes.
Stall No. 40 —‘Exclusive Art’, has been offering a vibrant collection of true Turkish art of calligraphy or ‘Hat’ and traditional hand-painted Anatolian Seljuks ceramic through a variety of colourful ornaments.
“Turkey has one of the richest artistic backgrounds and we love offering visitors authentic Turkish Art,” says Hassan Cicek, the owner of the ‘Exclusive Art’ store. “Every single piece or ornament we have here reflects the Turkish essence through unique handmade pieces that display traditional and vivid patterns. No person or guest will go home with the same bowl, pots, plates, mosaic lamp or flower vase. There is no dull piece in my shop.”
As guests stroll through the pavilion, they can encounter a set of stores with Turkish Delights. Tasin Chicheck, the shop-keeper of Bozel Food Turkish Delights of Shop No. 5, proudly shares that one of the most popular offerings at the Turkish pavilion is the abundance of Turkish treats such as Turkish Delight, a sweet and aromatic delicacy, which was traditionally offered as a gift among the affluent families.
The Turkish treats available include the traditional Turkish ice cream and the strong Turkish coffee, which can be purchased either ready-brewed or all packaged to take home. The ‘Borek’, Anatolian baked filled pastry, and ‘Ayran’, a drink made of yoghurt, water and salt; are also on the list of people’s favourites and can be found around the pavilion. All the way from Sparta, the western city in Turkey, or mostly known as the ‘City of Roses’, Rasim Turkmem, a retired soldier in the Turkish army and now a full-time shop owner, offers guests a wide range of rose products — including rose fragrance, rose oil and rose water amongst other products at his shop No. 1 ‘City Roses’. He also sells ‘gulu’ products, which are known for their healthy anti-ageing features and mainly used as beauty and skin products.
Visitors can also get a chance to try some stylish Ottoman design shoes and bags from Istanbul’s designer Can Bukak, at the shop No. 32 ‘Ottoman Silk’. Guests can choose from a variety of traditional golden horn design and Ottoman carpet design. All the shoes and bags are handmade, and prices start from Dh200.
In addition to Turkish production, Global Village will continue to provide a unique shopping experience from 75 countries until the season ends on April 8, 2017. Global Village’s opening hours are from 4pm to 12am Saturday to Wednesday and from 4pm to 1am on Thursdays and Fridays in addition to public holidays.
