The Department of Economic Development (DED) launched its first activity for this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises at Al Reef Mall today. The “The Wonder of Puppets,” will be held from June 29 to July 13 at the Al Reef Mall.
In a departure from previous years when the DED was handling the ‘Back to School’ surprises, this year, the Department is expected to have a comprehensive presence at DSS 2005 and will be present throughout the 72 days of the surprises from June 22 to September 2, 2005.
“Puppets and puppetry have had an absorbing history and have held great fascination for the old and young alike throughout the ages,” said Mohammed Hilal Al Muroushedi, head of shopping malls events at DED and member of DSS committee. “We would like to introduce the children in the UAE to the wonderful world of puppets this summer and enable them to experience and enjoy all aspects related to puppets,” he added.
“The Wonder of Puppets,” includes five fun-filled activities including puppet shows, a puppet making workshop, a puppet history exhibition a puppet market and puppet mascots who will wander throughout the mall.
Two puppet shows will be performed in Arabic and English each day with the duration of each show lasting for about 45 minutes. The stage and settings will be different for both the languages and a total of 11 stories will be enacted during the fortnight long event. The shows which combine a mixture of education and entertainment will enable children to learn about good habits.
The ‘Wonder of Puppets’ will also have an educative component that will include workshops on puppet making. At these classes, children will be taught how to make different types of puppets in addition to using them to create their own mini puppet shows. At the end of the workshop, they can take home the puppets that they have made.
A dedicated section set aside at the mall will showcase the history of puppets, while 20 puppets representing the different countries they have originated from, will demonstrate the effect of ethnicity on puppets. The countries on display include Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Tanzania, Ukraine, USA and Uruguay. The exhibition on show will span puppets of all varieties including glove puppets, marionettes and leather shadow puppets. The exhibition will also detail the various methods of using these puppets effectively.
The entire mall will also host ten puppet mascots during the fortnight from June 29 to July 13. In addition, a puppet market set up at the mall will have a variety of puppets for sale.
About Department of Economic Development (DED):
The Department of Economic Development (DED) was established in March 1992, with the objective to organise, regulate and boost trade and industry within the Emirate of Dubai. The DED has moulded its mission of building a futuristic establishment, in accordance with the vision of the Government of Dubai and in the light of globalisation and the requirements of a digital economy. One of its key functions is to encourage local and foreign investments in commercial and industrial projects, and create the appropriate environment for investors.
The DED’s other functions comprise a wide range of regulatory activities including the preparation and maintenance of a commercial register and the supervision of all organisations. The DED is responsible for regulating the affairs of commercial agents and brokers and commercial advertising offices, in addition to overseeing and controlling the insurance industry in the Emirate. Examining the participation of the government in the private sector and representing the government in companies where it has a stake, also comes under the purview of the DED.
