Dubai, January 04: Amidst the skyscrapers and hotels that form part of the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), one may almost miss the traditional village brought to life from the pages of the Emirati history for the fourth anniversary of the accession of the Ruler of Dubai.
Soothing music and smell of livestock leads you to the ad hoc heritage site, decorated with flags marked number 4 in the national colours. Emirati photographer Rashid Al Buloshi has set up his tent with boxes filled with photographs — one with a series of images of Dubai’s traditional spice souqs and camel caravans, while the other with lights, glamour and the skyscrapers on the coast of Dubai.
“This is what Dubai is all about,” Ahmed Al Jasmi, coordinator of the cultural activities at JBR, says.
“The outside displays the modernity while the core is traditional. They coexist.”
The Heritage Village at JBR’s, The Walk on Sunday was created as a tribute to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
On the other side of town, at the Al Mamzar Beach, troupes on foot and horses were part of a Grand Parade that began in the afternoon. School students in their national attire walked by their side with slogans “We are all with Mohammed” and “He is in our eyes and hearts”.
They were pleasantly surprised when Shaikh Mohammed himself graced the occasion for a few minutes to meet the gathering.
“We are lucky to have Shaikh Mohammed as our leader. This village is set up to honour him and wish him a long life,” Al Jasmi said.
At one corner of the ground, that was milling with inquisitive tourists and residents alike, middle-aged Emirati women treated passersby’s with tribal culinary delicacies. At the center, local men held hands and swayed to the beats of the Lewa and Ayalla chants.
“The event is to remind the people that this is our culture and introduce it to the people who visit the emirate,” he added.
Tour guide Mariko Dedoussis made Dubai her home the same time Shaikh Mohammed assumed responsibility four years ago. From then on, all the changes around her seem “surreal,” she says.
“Everything has been built in such a short time.
“What generally would take years to accomplish, this emirate has done in just a couple of years. It is astonishing!”
The ever changing skyline means more tourist destinations, with Burj Dubai being the latest addition to her itinerary.
“Now the Burj Dubai will be a favourite with my tourist groups.”
Capturing the Burj Dubai on campus has become shutterbug Buloshi’s dream. “I will be there, at the opening, to hopefully shoot one the best photograph for my collection.”
Al Jasmi said the opening of the Burj Dubai announces to the world what Dubai aims to be. “This is Dubai! We want to be Number one!”
At the Dubai World Trade Center, a poetry session and a photography exhibition marked the celebrations that will continue till January 7.
The Heritage galore will also be present at the Burj Dubai venue on Monday for the public to be a part of the fusion of the past and the present.
–Agencies