‘TIMELESS DUBAI’ FASCINATES SHOPPERS

and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the exhibition will continue until September 2.

The eight-week exhibition that showcases Dubai's cultural heritage both past and present, gives an insight to the visitors of the extent to which the emirate has evolved in the past 50 years. A city that has expanded from a simple fishing and pearl diving settlement to the high tech, hotspot it is today, Dubai is nevertheless seeped in its deep-rooted traditions.

The exhibition endeavours to convey the astonishingly cosmic culture and history of Dubai that preceded the skyscrapers of today. The organisers hope that not only will the interest of the visitors be sustained with the visual display of history of the Emiratis, but also convey the rapid development the region has undergone.

Featuring a number of exhibits ranging from the ancient to the contemporary, Timeless Dubai provides a unique blend of education, culture, and history. Enabling the public to window shop whilst viewing ancient relics or learning more about pearl diving, the event is drawing large number of visitors throughout the hot summer months.

The archaeological exploration of the region featured with priceless original pottery from the first to third millennium BC is one of the main attractions of the exhibition. A rare collection of Emirati weapons including Khanjars, swords and guns also illustrate how the Emiratis traditionally defended themselves from attack and invasion. A heritage section observes the traditions and daily rituals of the Bedouin, describing the essential role water and date palms played in the survival of this populace.

For those interested in traditional skills, Emirati craftspeople provide live, daily demonstrations of perfume making, basket weaving and henna application from 4 pm to 10 pm.

A unique and rare photography collection of over 100 posters placed throughout the walkways of the mall marks Dubai's evolution over recent decades. In line with this theme, a public photography competition in association with Salam titled "Old Dubai, New Dubai' invites people to submit their own masterpiece, capturing a scene from Dubai and providing a chance to win a Pentax camera.