DUBAI TOURISM AND COMMERCIAL MARKETING DEPARTMENT (DTKM) LAUNCHED THE SUMMER IS DUBAI FESTIVAL CAMPAIGN. THIS IS THIRTEEN WEEKS OF DISCOUNTS, PRIZE LOTTERIES AND CULTURAL AND LEISURE EVENTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Sea of surprises
The first event of the hot season was the 16th Dubai Summer Surprises Festival, which was launched on June 7th. In connection with the imminent onset of the holy month of Ramadan, this year the extravaganza of shopping and entertainment lasted only one month or 32 days. It was attended by all the major emirate shopping centers and more than 6,000 retail stores: everyone who made purchases in the amount of 200 dirhams (US $ 54.6) was able to take part in the lottery, where 250 thousand dirhams were played weekly (US $ 68, 3 thousand) and valuable prizes worth up to 1 million dirhams (US $ 273.2 thousand), including 8 brand new BMW cars.
Performances of creative groups, entertainment events for the whole family took place in the atriums of the shopping malls. In the Mall of the Emirates, visitors were delighted with the colorful show "Bananas in Pajamas", as well as the "Extreme Festival" with the performance of people on stilts, magicians and acrobats. In total, this program included three shows: Extreme Festival itself, Bedtime Stories, and Treasury.
At the Deira City Center and Mirdif City Center shopping malls, guests were greeted by the red cat Garfield with his show "Happy Birthday!", As well as "The Jungle Circus" with 40 African acrobats, aerialists, mimes and musicians who demonstrated flexibility, strength and mastery.
Children were entertained by the characters of the cartoon Smurfs and "the sweetest girl in the world" - "Princess Strawberry". "Dubai summer surprises" are unthinkable without megalothers. So, on the last day of the festival, July 7, a lucky person will be determined who will get 100 thousand dirhams (US $ 27.3 thousand) in cash. This year, promotions are also planned in honor of the Eid al-Fitr holiday: between 1 and 12 August, 1 million dirhams will be played in gold. The End of Season lottery, which is scheduled for September 7, will also identify new millionaires.
Thus, this summer 5 million dirhams (US $ 1.3 million) will be played in Dubai. City hotels take part in the summer campaign, which offer free accommodation for children under 12 years old, free breakfast, lunch and dinner for the whole family when staying in Dubai for at least three days.
In 2012, the Dubai Summer Surprises festival attracted 4.36 million visitors who contributed 12.3 billion dirhams (US $ 3.6 billion) to the emirate’s economy.
Compared to 2011, the volume of expenses increased by almost 40%. “Four weeks of entertainment are filled with numerous events for children and their parents who are traditionally visited by guests from all over the region and international tourists,” said Leyla Suheil, chief executive officer of the Festivals and Retail Development Institution, a DTCM event organizer.
On June 20, the magical attraction city “Modhesha World”, the largest indoor theme park in the Middle East, opened for children of all ages in the pavilions of the Dubai World Trade Center. Cheerful spring Modhesh, who has become the summer mascot of Dubai, invites residents and guests of the emirate to the world of joy, games, competitions and new discoveries.
Numerous seminars and master classes are planned in the town this year in the zones "World of Culture and Heritage", "Arts and Crafts" and "Young Fighter Course". Pure entertainment will be offered by the Spa for the Princess, Mother and Daughter, Snow Park, Graffiti Wall, World of Children's Discoveries, Fun Slides and Football Field. By tradition, a significant area of the town will be occupied by an interactive entertainment zone, where numerous electronic and video games, a 9D-format movie theater, the Laser Battle and the Pet Farm shows will be presented. Among the other attractions that are also worth a visit are the World of Puppets, Sandy Park and the Modhesh Dance Academy.
The wonderful month of Ramadan
Already in early July, summer surprises will be replaced by the festival "Ramadan in Dubai", traditionally filled with numerous cultural events. This month, all tourists can plunge into real oriental exoticism and join Muslim traditions. Dubai for a whole lunar month will become a quiet and comfortable city, showing the world true hospitality.
During the astronomical day, city cafes and restaurants will be closed, and shopping malls will receive visitors until late. Traditionally, a large-scale indoor fair "Night Market in Ramadan" will be held, where souvenirs and consumer goods can be purchased at special prices. This year, its holding is scheduled for August 110. In city hotels, they will build tents where, every evening after sunset, the Iftar ceremony will be performed, followed by the Sukhur festive meal.
Regardless of religion, Ramadan is an ideal month for exploring the culture and Islamic traditions, especially in the United Arab Emirates.
After the end of Ramadan, the Eid in Dubai festival is traditionally organized in the emirate: this year it will be held from August 7 to 10. All Muslims begin this day with ritual prayers, prepare traditional dishes and invite friends and neighbors to dinner. During the Eid al-Fitr festival, it is customary to give generous gifts, hand out sweets to children, ask each other for forgiveness and send “A thousand congratulations” to all friends.
SIMPLE RULES
During Ramadan, all guests of the United Arab Emirates should follow simple rules:
1. In the daytime, the use of food and drink in public places is prohibited. This can be construed as disrespectful and result in a fine and even arrest.
2. For the whole month, you should abandon open clothing and, when choosing a dress, show modesty and tolerance of national customs.
3. Loud music and dancing may also seem offensive to believers, so they should also be abandoned.
