Dubai's Global Village celebrates three decades: Uncommon images document its evolution
The story of Global Village, a cultural extravaganza in Dubai, began in 1996 as a pop-up car park fair opposite Dubai Municipality. Over the years, it has grown into a world in miniature, attracting millions of visitors and becoming a festival ground for headline performances.
In its early days, Global Village was a modest affair, spanning just 50,000 sq m and drawing 500,000 visitors. By the second season in 1997, it had already expanded, with folk dancers from Rajasthan and drummers from Africa performing at Dubai Creek.
As the years passed, Global Village moved locations multiple times, expanding rapidly each time. By 2000, it had moved to Oud Metha and later to Dubai Festival City. The redesigned entrance arch featured a replica of the Burj Al Arab, symbolising the city's growing ambition.
In 2005, Global Village found its permanent home in Dubailand, located just off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. The new 17.2 million sq ft site offered room for giant parking lots, carnival rides, nightly fireworks, and eventually over 90 national pavilions.
The pavilions at Global Village grew bigger and bolder, including replicas of India's Charminar. The fairground atmosphere reached new heights, with over 40,000 shows now filling the calendar each season, including street magicians and full-blown concerts.
Global Village has cemented itself as a festival ground for headline performances. Season 28 welcomed 10 million visitors, and Season 29 smashed records at 10.5 million. Mazhar Farooqui, a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times, covers Global Village.
However, the pandemic brought challenges. In 2020, the silver jubilee season was cut short, but Global Village bounced back quickly by adapting with contactless payments, wider walkways, and themed runs.
Looking ahead, the 30th season of Global Village is set to open on October 15, 2021, and will run until May 10, 2026. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been operating Global Village since its move to Dubailand in 2005.
Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, thrilling rides, or electrifying performances, Global Village promises an unforgettable experience. It's more than just a village; it's a world in miniature.
Read also:
- Overhauling the academic health system's monetary strategies: Insights into a Financial Chief Officer's innovative tactics.
- Analyzing Gaming Mastery: Deep Dive into Player Performance Evaluation for Wagering Purposes
- Improved Insulin Production, Enhanced Extracts, and Mushrooms for Taste Enhancement
- Salzgitter AG takes a green direction, focusing on environmentally friendly steel production.
