Dubai, January 21: Hundreds of families from all over the GCC joined the revelry at the Carnival that marked the first day of the 16th Dubai Shopping Festival at Dubai Creek Park on Thursday night.
Many in the spectators said the events in the past editions of the DSF were not as spectacular as this year’s edition as many artistes from different nationalities showed off their talents to the delight of the crowd.
Drummers, singers, acrobats, stuntmen, stilt walkers and dancers from Africa, the Americas, Italy, Asia and GCC countries were united in celebrating the occasion with their best performances ever that ended at 8.30 pm. Even before the carnival revelry completely faded out, a show of pyrotechnics in their colourful forms and shapes brightened the skies above Dubai Creek Park to the amazement of children around.
Justina Fraschetti, an Italian who has made Dubai her home for six years now, told Khaleej Times that the performances by a 50-member Italian group of drummers and stilt walkers was amazing. “The DSF is indeed an opportunity for all artistes from any background and culture to sail to Dubai, visit and perform,” Fraschetti said.
Khalid, a Jordanian who drove from Abu Dhabi to join the fun, carried her son on his shoulders so that the young one could fully see what was going on around him and enjoy the various performances. “I brought my son, Yamen, here because this event is very nice and will stay alive in the minds of children even after years. Driving all the way from Abu Dhabi does not tire me. The most important is my son and my entire family can witness what is in Dubai that we cannot see in our place,” he said.
A family from Saudi Arabia flew to Dubai on Wednesday night to witness the spectacular event. It was just the first day of the DSF, but Mohammed Al Dossary from Saudi Arabia decided to bring his wife, two daughters and son all the way to Dubai to see how shopping, fun, surprises and entertainment would bring different experience to their lives.
“The DSF is really a very nice avenue for those looking for something different. Its entertainment is especially good for children,” Al Dossary said.
An Indian, Purpendre Kumar, his wife Renu and son Pragyan said the carnival made their day complete. They were especially amazed at a group of revellers, who put on masks of ugly elves following families to make fun of them. “This is a perfect day for us. The weather is good, and the entire event today is fantastic,” Kumar said.
The DSF, together with all its events, has made residents and visitors see a different way of enjoying life. “This is good for business, good for tourists, and as travellers come, they discover a new face of Dubai,” he gushed.
Arvind Jadhav, a general manager of a dairy company in Mumbai, flew to Dubai with his wife and daughter, to witness the popular DSF, Global Village and the Metro. “I am very much impressed with all that is Dubai. The city is well maintained. People respect visitors. Food is excellent. The metro is efficient and, most of all, this revelry and the rest that comes with the DSF are something. We have never seen anything like this in India,” Jadhav said.
–Agencies–