World bazaars come to Dubai

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As part of its World Cultures Festival DSF 2006-2007 brings Bazaars of the World event that will transport the visitor to six traditional souqs of the world on Al Seef Street from December 20 to February 2, 2007

Under the new theme of the World of Festivals this DSF comes the Bazaars of the World event organised as part of the World Cultures Festival. True to the spirit of traditional bazaars, the event brings together six vibrant bazaars of Cairo, Aleppo, Sanaa, Isfahan, Marakesh and India recreated in a traditional setting on Al Seef Street against the backdrop of the picturesque Bur Dubai Creek. Open from 4pm to 12midnight daily, these representations of the legendary bazaars known for their rich cultural offerings would provide not only great shopping opportunities, but also a peek into the past, reflecting the various periods of history and development that the region has witnessed.

Besides offering a cultural tour of some of the greatest marketplaces of the world these bazaars will also host workshops by artisans crafting their wares. Watch the experts busy at carpet weaving, glass blowing, tanning and drying of leather products, silver engraving, perfume making, sword making, silver and wood engraving and tile making etc. Strewn across the promenade will be traditional coffee shops and restaurants adding a quaint touch to the atmosphere. This setting of Oriental bazaars will carry all along it the whiff of the incense and will be loaded with everything under the sun a family might need including sparkling gold and jewellery, silk, coffee, amber, calligraphy, painting and much more.

Yousuf Mubarak, DSF Events Operations and Services Director said, “The bazaars recreated at Al Seef Street will offer great cultural shopping while also giving the visitors a chance to familiarise themselves with the historical nuances of the cities and people behind them. We have tried to recreate the mystique and charm of these erstwhile souqs and brought a slice of all that they offer for people to sample right at their doorstep in Dubai."

Khan Al Khalili bazaar of Cairo
The mini Khan Al Khalili bazaar of Cairo, which is the quintessential fairy-tale Oriental City of the world, is bound to attract the visitors’ attention with its magnificent Egyptian façade and mysterious aura. Once the economic centre of the Islamic Empire, Khan Al Khalili was a powerful free trade area, built in the vicinity of the Fatimid Castle around 1400. Today, with the whole of Cairo having evolved into an enormous bazaar by itself, this old bazaar forms the tourist centre of the market area.
 
El Madina Bazaar of Aleppo
The centre for exquisite craftsmanship and luxury goods, the El Madina Bazaar of Aleppo would also be represented. The original bazaar with a more modern face has always been more cosmopolitan and entrepreneurial in nature. Since World War II, Aleppo’s historic centres have been drastically redeveloped and rebuilt, and DSF 2006 will have on show a relatively modern bazaar with the traditional elements intact.
 
Samsarah  souq of Sanaa
The replica of the Al Janabi and Asoob markets of Sanaa is a must visit for all visitors and serious shoppers. Although after the victory of the Republicans in 1970 the old city became a modern administrative centre, the traditional bazaars of Yemen still remain the choice for shopping for most Yemenis and tourists. Visitors to Al Seef Street would undoubtedly find the superb handicraft items in this mini-bazaar irresistible. Typical of the remarkable Yemeni artists, the Samsarah al-Mansuriyah now houses workshops for local artists and the Samsarah an-Nahas, a training centre for traditional crafts, would be a point of interest to visitors.
 
Malekshah Saljooghi bazaar of Isfahan
Bringing together a glorious fusion of colour and the most intricate artwork among many other things, the Malekshah Saljooghi bazaar of Isfahan is bound to inspire awe in visitors. Untouched by any of the serious earthquakes Iran has experienced over the years the bazaar still has its weaving alleys and beautiful buildings of Islamic secular architecture of the last 500 years. Living relics of the pre-industrial age including brocade weavers, fabric painters and tile and carpet-pattern painters can still be found in many corners of this huge bazaar.
 
Samareen souq of Marakesh
The Samareen souq and the Djma Al Fana bazaar of Marakesh, where the famous Djamaa el-Fana exists, is undoubtedly one of the most magical places in the Islamic world and the greatest of many attractions that Marrakesh has in store for visitors. A panorama of humanity with magicians, faith healers, snake charmers and owners of falcons, visitors cannot fail to be but thoroughly entertained.
 
Indian Bazaar
The Indian bazaar represented at the Bazaars of the World is Dilli Haat offering the visitor an Indian experience in a microcosm. Literally meaning the marketplace of Delhi, Dilli Haat gives a cultural roundup of the entire country.
 
The Dilli Haat in Dubai will recreate the charm of the country marketplace of India presenting a wide variety of skillfully crafted handicrafts, intrinsic to each part of the country are available in this exotic bazaar. You will find it all from intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, embellished camel hide footwear, to sophisticated fabric and drapery. Gems, beads, brassware, metal crafts, silk and woollens....the range is limitless.
So here’s a chance for the DSF visitors to enjoy shopping as it were hundreds of years ago. Come and savour the exquisite craftsmanship carrying the flavour of the rich cultures of six different countries at the Bazaars of the World.

The combined edition of DSF 2006-2007 will run from December 20, 2006 to February 2, 2007. The 45 days of family fun, entertainment and shopping frenzy will offer retrospective glimpses of the 10 previous editions combining the best of the best and promises to be even bigger and better.

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