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The little joys of DSF

DUBAI — 'Do you know what gives me real joy during the Dubai Shopping Festival each year,' asked grandma, hugging the little one under the starry skies in Global Village.

“It is the smaller beauties,” she said softly. “What do you mean grandma?” asked the little one, suddenly screaming with delight when a breezy young lady handed over a pink balloon to her.

“See, this is what I mean. A thing that brings happiness and joy to a human being — even though small — does not go unnoticed. It just becomes a smaller beauty,” said grandma wisely. “Come on, let’s hunt for hidden beauties around us this DSF,” she said, holding out her hand to the little one.

“I love the way the city is dressed up,” quipped the little one, skipping along. “All bright, cheerful and colourful. It makes me...hmm.. happy,” she said, adding as an after thought, “I also want my face painted with red, pink and blue butterflies.”

Grandma nodded knowingly.

“Do you know dear how DSF is spreading joy all around?” asked grandma.

“Last DSF, little Leila got lost but found the world in the Global Village, remember?” she asked.

“This year, DSF is known as the ‘World of Festivals’ and it is the biggest and the best DSF ever — the best of shopping, entertainment and winning,” said grandma adding, “You just hold on to me because I do not want you get lost in the crowd.”

“For you my sweet, DSF brings festivals such as World Cultures Festival, Family Entertainment Festival, Arts and Cultural Festivals, Musical Festival, Dubai Fashion Festival, Sports Festival, Food Festival, Records Breaking Festival, Heritage Festival, Dubai Balloon Festival, Shopping Malls Festival and the most anticipated Raffles and Winnings Festival,” explained grandma softly.

“I can recall the joy on your face when we toured Dubai in the hot air balloon and you said, Ooh, look grandma, how lovely are the sights and lights from above here,” smiled grandma.

“Your enchanted and awe-stricken face at the Cirque du Soleil’s antics reminded me of the by-gone era,” reminisced grandma.

“It was as if you found timeless treasures at the Bazaars of the World at Al Seef Street which recreated the aura and magic of world-renowned traditional souqs of the Middle East such as Khan Al Khalili of Egypt, El Madina Souq (Syria), Samsara Souq (Sana) Samareen Souq (Yemen), Samareen Souq (Morocco) and Shah Souq (Iran),” said grandma to herself while the little one gaped in awe at the striking China Pavilion.

“Grandma, are you forgetting the entertainment in parks,” chanted the little one, hands on hips, posing artfully in front of the Syrian bazaar. “Do you think we can savour all the flavours of the world in 45 days,” questioned the little one, evoking a hearty chuckle and wink from her grandma.

“I also loved the riot of colour spread by the Dubai Carnival in which clowns, acrobats, butterflies, jugglers and musicians spread cheer among the audience in Madinat Jumeirah,” said the little one with stars in her eyes.

“But I think I liked the Scenes of the World Festivals best in which my favourite was Rio de Janeiro carnival among the carnivals of Venice , New Orleans , Africa, China and Australia . The Rio de Janerio carnival was so full of colour and...” said the little one, leaving the sentence midway as she danced off to see the splendid fireworks splashing hearts, pink and green palm trees and glittering red on the skies above the Global Village.

Unaware of the light of happiness radiating from her upturned face, grandma thought, “This is what I like about DSF each year. The ‘smaller’ beauty and joy that it spreads.”