Sunday, Aug 01, 2010
Gulf News
Dubai event showcases traditional fare
Dubai The recent exhibition, Min Beladi Al Emarat (From my country, the UAE), drew an extraordinary amount of visitors keen to learn more about the history of the UAE.
One of the show’s organisers said visitors’ cameras never stopped flashing as they snapped images of bygone traditions.
The exhibition held at Dubai Mall’s Gold Souq showcased the UAE’s rich cultural heritage prior to the oil-discovery era, through various aspects such as cuisine, dance and music. The show’s decor helped visitors feel they had stepped back in time.
Eisa Mohammad Al Beloushi, one of the organisers told Gulf News: “This event was organised by Dubai Summer Surprises and with the results I can say that it successfully took the people of Dubai — either visitors, expatriates or locals to almost 50 years ago and beyond to the country’s immortal heritage and unveiled the actual style of living that had been largely practised.”
He added the Madima dance was illustrated. The dance is performed on important occasions such as wedding parties or Eid. Originating from Africa it was introduced to the UAE via pearl merchants. Asked about the overall reactions of the visitors and what questions they asked, he said: “The reaction was prolific. We received inquiries from all the visitors and most of them revolved around the actual practice of the exhibited traditions and how people lived at that time with limited resources.
‘Totally impressed’
“In fact they were totally impressed by the traditional shows and the flashes of their cameras didn’t rest.”
He said the items featured in the exhibition, such as the small hand-held fans that Emiratis call “meshab”, were mainly just for display.
“The main purpose was for display only, except for henna which we offered free for the visitors plus other types of items that we gave as souvenirs to whoever was interested.”
Visitors were eagerly browsing the displayed items and showed an interest in the whole concept of the showcased activities.
aBDEL-KRIM KALLOUCHE/Gulf News
Deft touch
A craftsman participating in the Min Beladi Al Emarat does his traditional stuff, ?even as a visitor documents the moment for posterity.
As a matter of fact, the main purpose was for display only, except for henna which we offered free for the visitors plus other types of items that we gave as souvenirs to whoever ?was interested.”
Eisa Mohammad Al Beloushi
Exhibit organiser
By Fatma Salem?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
