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Min Bladi Al Emarat, a DSS 2008 Signature Event and a folkloric festivity showcasing the tradition and culture of UAE, kicks off on July 24, at the ChinaCourt in Ibn Batuta Mall, a key sponsor of DSS 2008 and a member of Dubai Shopping Malls Group.
 
To run till July 31, Min Bladi will include traditional displays, interactive demonstrations and workshops, sessions of mock traditional weddings, and a wide range of heritage-related artifacts, in addition to daily competitions and contests tailored to inculcate public awareness of UAECs rich heritage.  
 
There will be three winners in every activity, with the winner to get AED 3000, the runner-up to get AED 2000, and the second runner-up to get AED 1000. All participants will be awarded mementos in appreciation of their involvement in the event. The prizes are sponsored by the Dubai Shopping Festival Office.  
 
Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DSF Office said, "Min Bladi aims at raising awareness amongst visitors, residents, and UAE nationals about the heritage, customs, and traditions of UAE. Our goal through this event is to revive UAE heritage and in the process also create a platform for the exchange of cultures and instill a sense of identity among the young generations. We want to convey to them a clear-cut, all-embracing image of the deeply-rooted traditions of our forefathers."
 
“The popularity of the event among UAE nationals and the multi-cultural society in Dubai has been such that Min Bladi Al Emarat is a Signature Event in DSS 2008,” she added.
 
Competitions within Min Bladi have been categorized as follows:   
 
Best Perfume & Eyeliner Contest
A contest will be organized on July 24, on the best perfume and eyeliner. All competing products must be home-made and produced by the competitor who must attend in person or delegate somebody to attend on his behalf. All products must be delivered to the DSF Office.  
 
Popular Cuisine Contest
A popular cuisine (women-only) contest will be organized on the second day (July 25). The competing dishes must be home-made and prepared by the competitor herself. Each dish should not exceed more than 3 kg in weight.
 
Best Poem Contest
A contest on the best poem will be held on the third day, July 26^th, only for males aged between 10 and 16 years old. All entries must be the creation of the participants or one of their family members. The participants shall be judged according to several criteria, including quality, poem recitation, self presentation before the jury panel, and voice modulation.
 
Best Esama & Youla Competition
A contest on the best Esama and Youla will be held on the fourth day (July 27) for children aged between 10 and 12 years old. Each child must wear the white Ghutra and wrap it around his head before the jury panel. Participants will be judged according to how fast each participant wraps the Ghutra and how far it suits the head, and in the case of the youla, how well the rifle is used.
 
Emarati Coffee Contest
A competition on the best coffee will be held on the fifth day, July 28^th. The contest is open to both men and women. The coffee must be home made and contestants must bring with them the original powder used in preparing the product.  
 
Best Hand-Made Product Contest
A contest on best hand-made products, like henna, will be held on the sixth day, July 29^th. The women-only contest stipulates that all products must be prepared before the jury panel by the participant herself.
 
Best Dairy Competition
A competition on the best dairy will be held on July 30, where men and women can compete by preparing several dairy products, including butter and cream.
 
Best Popular Dress Competition
Min Bladi Al Emarat competitions will wrap up on July 31 with a contest on the best Emarati female costume, where competitors will vie to introduce the best possible designs and materials used to fashion the dress.

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