Australian folklore, dress and music wows visitors

Dubai, August 22, 2004 - Visitors to the Mercato mall get a passport to Australia this week, as the international Countries & Colours show brings the best of Australian culture to the shopping centre. The show, which delves into the history of colour, its evolution and its importance to the indigenous populations of the world, has attracted a great deal of interest since the start of Colour Surprises week on Thursday.

Hala Lootah, head of the Colour Surprises Organising Committee for the Department of Health and Medical Services, said one of the key aims of the 'Colours and Countries' concept was to highlight the relationship between cultures and colour. Many of these relationships, she added, have been borne out of factors like weather and religious traditions.

"The show at Mercato has been very popular, especially because of the interest in the Aboriginal traditions of Australia," Lootah said. "We have showcased more than 30 different countries, but one of our primary focuses is Australia and there are a variety of performers and artists who have come from there to promote an understanding of the aborigine heritage and lifestyle."

The aboriginal show, being held for the first time in the Middle East, features Australian artist-musician Adrien Ross, the didgeridoo musical instruments and a host of colourful effects.

The Rainbow Snake activity is also a key part of this 'Colours& Countries' show. For the Australian aborigines, Lootah explained, the appearance of a rainbow is a very positive sign of healing, as it connects earth and sky. For Colour Surprises week, that tradition has been translated into a rainbow snake, which children visiting the mall can add to with daily paintings until it gets to more than 7 feet long.

 On Friday, the last day of the event, the completed snake will be presented to the Department of Health and Medical Services by the Australian Ambassador to the UAE, the Australian Consul-General and American Consul-General.

The 'Colours & Countries' activity will have feature artists who will teach mall visitors how to draw and how to use fresh flowers in their paintings.  

Dubai Summer Surprises 2004 began with Art Surprises on June 17, and is currently in its last week, Colour Surprises organised by the Department of Health and Medical Services, from August 19-27, 2004.

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For further information, please contact
Hessah Sultan Aurbaya,
Corporate Communication Coordinator,
Dubai Summer Surprises
Tel: +971-4-202 0510;
Fax: +971-4-222 1110
Email: haurbaya@mydsf.gov.ae

© Press Release 2004