Centuries Old 'Art' to Continue At Dedicated Dock Yard

Dubai, 26 June, 2006 - Dhow building is to continue on Dubai Creek. Dubai Properties announced today that its landmark leisure and tourism project, Culture Village, will feature a dockyard showcasing traditional dhow building skills.

Dhow building on Dubai Creek has been prevalent for centuries. Dubai Properties' initiative will mean that one of the emirate's oldest industries will continue for generations to come.

Hashim Al Dabal, CEO of Dubai Properties said: "Dubai's culture evolved around the Creek with the discovery of pearls on the rich oyster beds. Dhows are as much a part of our cultural heritage as the Creek. With Culture Village, we will be preserving two of our most valued traditions.

"As the era of the dhow trade passes, a whole culture is in danger of fading into history. Culture Village will bring the heritage back to the forefront and highlight its rightful place in our social fabric. Our initiative is a tribute not only to the 'art' of the boat builder, but to boat builders themselves."

The AED 50 billion Culture Village, located along the Dubai Creek next to Garhoud Bridge over an area of 40 million square feet, will blend Arabian culture and heritage into its ambience.

Designed to maximise the waterfront potential of the Creek while preserving Dubai's maritime roots, Culture Village will feature wide open spaces, traditional wind towers, cobble stone walkways, unique sculptures, waterways topped with bridges, creekside souks, restaurants and cafes, an amphitheatre for live performances and cultural festivals, an exhibition hall and museums.

"The inclusion of a dhow building yard within Culture Village reflects Dubai Properties' vision of blending the Arab world's history with Dubai's heritage in the project," said Al Dabal.

In addition to residential, retail and commercial sectors, Culture Village will also contain academic institutions, schools, art colleges, and academies for dance and other crafts as well as a traditional souk.

Dhow construction evolved over the centuries. Until the end of the 15th century dhows were built without the use of a single nail. The craft was sewn together with coconut ropes and wooden pins and carved out of teak wood. Today, dhows are built using modern ship-building methods. Increasingly diesel engines are fitted.

Until World War Two, the dhow season began with the ripening of the dates in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The fruit was packed at the port of Basra, on the Arabian Gulf, and loaded onto the dhows from August onwards. Indeed, dates were the universal currency of the Arabian ports, so much so that a dhow's size was measured by the number of boxes of Basra dates it could carry.

Once the dhow had been unloaded, the ship was dismasted, and lashed to a frame. Each day, while the tide was out, the underwater timbers were scrubbed and repairs carried out. A thick protective paste of lime and beef fat was then applied to the hull by hand. Fish oil was used to condition the upper timbers.

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Note to Editors
About Dubai Properties
Dubai Properties is a member of Dubai Holding and operates with the express aim of conceiving large-scale developments, transforming Dubai's vision into reality. The portfolio of projects handled by Dubai Properties is diverse and represents the highest quality of real estate in the region. Real estate offerings by Dubai Properties include the 1.7km long Jumeirah Beach Residence with The Walk as a promenade of retail and entertainment venues stretching the waterfront. Business Bay, the region's business capital offers the best corporate headquarters for international businesses. The Villas at Dubailand is another unique development from Dubai Properties offering hacienda-style residential communities. Recently Dubai Properties announced the AED 50 billion Culture Village, a unique development offering an elite lifestyle in an intellectually stimulating environment, with year-round world class cultural events.

For further information, please contact:
Linda Abdulhay
JiWin
The Public Relations Subsidiary of Dubai Press Club
Dubai Media City
Tel: +971 4 3613333
Fax: + 971 4 3688001
Mob: +971 50 4824185
E-mail: Linda.abdulhay@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2006