Exhibition highlights traditional handicrafts

The Middle East Handicrafts Exhibition on Al Muraqqabbat Street has been a big draw with visitors because of the rich variety of Arab handicrafts and demonstrations by artisans from different parts of the Middle East. The items on display are in wood, clay, silver, glass and mirror.

Jassim Al Awadhi, Dubai Shopping Festival co-ordinator for Al Muraqqabbat Street, said the Middle East Handicrafts Exhibition suited the DSF 2001 theme as it brought alive before visitors the handicrafts from different parts of the Arab world. "This exhibition provides a window on Middle East handicrafts, and allows visitors from around the world to own some of the unique products."

Shaher Shamlawi, manager of the handicrafts department at Al Yousuf group, said: "This exhibition not only showcases some of the finest Arab handicrafts, but puts the spotlight on the artisans who specialise in making them. The handicrafts are made from gypsum, wood, silver, mirror, glass and fabric, and have come from Bahrain, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Oman, Algeria and Tunis."

Shamlawi said visitors to the exhibition have been showing a great interest in the handicrafts, not only in buying them but also stopping to watch the artisans at work. Mohammed Abdul Hussain Yakub, a Bahraini artisan, was busy working on handicrafts of gypsum, surrounded by models of intricate windows, doors and picture frames of the Holy Quran.

"I use a special technique to give this unique look and colour to my handicrafts," he said. "We have been getting a large number of visitors and buyers since the start of the festival." Zail Abu Adas was busy making beautiful sand-filled glass items depicting sky, sea and desert scenes. "It takes me just ten minutes to finish one of these items," he said. "A more complex one would take half-an-hour. People love these kind of show pieces. Some ask for special designs. The prices range from Dh15 to Dh50."

Mohammed Al Sheikh, a Sudani craftsman, specialising in products of glass and mirrors, said: "This is a passion with me. At each stage I try to create something new, by etching, painting or drawing. Each painting take about three to four hours. People love to have these as house decoration. The prices range from Dh30 to Dh100."

In another corner, Mohammed Rabah Mubaraki of Tunis is working on handmade silver handicrafts. "Everything here is hand-made, right from the stage of heating the raw silver to the final product. This needs expertise and high skill, and I have learnt them from my father since the age of nine. I make house accessories and swords. The items are priced between Dh40 and Dh6,000."