DSF 2013 brings the world to Dubai at the World of Souvenirs
If Dubai is a city that hosts the world, especially during the Dubai Shopping Festival, then guests must be able to take back a little bit of the world with them to commemorate their trip. With this is in mind, DSF 2013 has introduced something special - the World of Souvenirs on Al Seef Street where visitors can find that ideal knick knack or curio from places far and wide on the globe to take home as a memento or a gift for near and dear ones.
A creekside boulevard that is one of the focal points of events and activities in DSF 2013, a corner of Al Seef Street is decked out with stalls of souvenirs from countries around the world. There are nine main stalls with one each representing Brazil, the USA, the UK, France, Turkey, India, China and the hosts UAE, as well as one stall that represents the whole continent of Africa. From each country there is a story to take back, and in each area there’s a famous landmark that is a global icon from that particular country and reflects its culture, heritage and history. For example, the USA stall has a huge replica of the Statue of Liberty at its entrance where visitors are busy posing for photographs, whereas those entering the France stall do so through a replica of Paris’ famous Arc de Triomphe – another focal point for shutterbugs.
Inside each stall there is an enticing collection of curios and gifts that seemingly transport visitors to that country. At the United States stall there are replicas of its famous skyscrapers and other structures, such as New York’s Empire State Building, along with a variety of products that are emblematic of American life, like the jerseys of famous American sports teams. The United Kingdom stall, meanwhile, is full of football memorabilia of its iconic club sides such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City, among others, as well as miniature models of London’s Big Ben and large panoramic pictures of main cities such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester. A quaint touch is provided by the pouches of typical English tea, allowing visitors to take back with them that quintessential British drink.
The France stall is also themed around its monuments and cultural life. Miniature models of that icon that needs no introduction – the Eiffel Tower – are flying off the shelves. Other highlights are replicas of monuments from around Paris and those on its famous Champs Elysees. Brazil, too, has chosen to highlight what it is famous for all over the world: its national sport of football. Colourful jerseys of the Brazilian national team as well as of Brazil’s famous club sides lend a psychedelic air to the stall.
Visitors mill around at the Africa stall, interested to know about the cultures of its various countries and regions, and eager to buy beautiful handcrafted products and curious made of wood and leather, as well as carvings of the myriad animals that the continent is famous for. It is the same story of excitement and the wonder of discovery at the India, China and Turkey stalls, where the most sought after gifts are the excellent handicrafts of these countries, as well as replicas of the globally renowned monuments in these countries.
A glass model of the landmark Burj Khalifa is the centerpiece of the UAE stall, where visitors are also buying local Arabic perfumes, traditional sweets and clothes, and models of its another landmark structure - the Burj Al Arab. However, the highest selling souvenirs until now are the Burj Khalifa replicas, as confirmed by the stall organizers.
The World of Souvenirs is open to the public throughout DSF 2013 and it is only apt that a city of such enormous cultural diversity as Dubai conjures up such a meeting point of global cultures and nationalities - a true reflection of the inclusive culture of the city. The World of Souvenirs is also quite fittingly situated next to the waters of Dubai’s lifeline, its creek, the place where it all began – the rise of Dubai from humble beginnings to an international city of excellence.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Jan 11, 2013
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