Ramadan Neighborhood at Expo Dubai…a Ramadan experience that combines heritage and innovation
Dubai, March 10, 2017 / WAM / The “Ramadan Neighborhood” in Expo City Dubai is one of the most prominent Ramadan events in the emirate and offers an integrated experience that combines Ramadan hospitality with cultural and entertainment events in an atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Emirati society and attracts visitors of various nationalities.
The event is organized within the “Season of Connection” and under the umbrella of the “Season of Familiarity” initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid.
Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, with the aim of strengthening family ties, celebrating community and cultural events, and consolidating the values of tolerance and coexistence.
Amna Abu Al-Houl, Executive Creative Director for Events and Entertainment at Expo City Dubai, said that “Ramadan Neighborhood” returns this year for its fourth session with a renewed look, and the city was keen to develop the Ramadan experience for visitors by offering two different Iftar concepts that meet the aspirations of the public, namely “Majlis Iftar”, which provides a quiet family atmosphere with an international buffet and distinguished service, and “Souq Iftar”, which is inspired by the atmosphere of traditional Emirati markets through heritage food carts and an open self-service buffet.
She added that this year’s edition offers an integrated program of events and activities targeting various family members, and includes musical performances presented by musicians from the Firdaus Orchestra with tunes that suit the atmosphere of the holy month, in addition to an area designated for sports activities and workshops for children inspired by the values and customs of the month of Ramadan.
She explained that the “Ramadan Neighborhood” has witnessed remarkable development since its launch four years ago, as it attracted thousands of visitors, noting that Expo City Dubai relies annually on evaluating the visitor experience through questionnaires and audience feedback after each session, and based on this data, the organizational and logistical aspects of the event are developed, which contributes to improving the quality of the Ramadan experience provided.
She confirmed that one of the most prominent stages of development was moving the entire event to Al Wasl Square under the iconic dome, after the activities were distributed across the city in the first sessions, which contributed to enhancing the interactive nature of the experience through immersive light and sound effects that give a distinctive Ramadan atmosphere, in addition to organizing theatrical performances, family activities and various workshops.
She pointed out that the Ramadan District, in its current version, is divided into several main areas, including the Majlis Iftar Area, the Market Iftar Area, and the Heritage Area, in addition to an area designated for sports activities, providing an integrated Ramadan experience that combines hospitality, cultural and recreational activities.
She pointed out that Expo City Dubai is hosting the main Iftar Cannon for the Emirate of Dubai for the fourth year in a row, in a Ramadan tradition that enhances the festive atmosphere of the event and constitutes one of the most prominent elements that attract visitors during Iftar time.
The city also announced the launch of a special initiative inviting the families of the “Protectors of the Homeland” to have breakfast in the Ramadan neighborhood with an open invitation, in appreciation of their efforts to protect the state and maintain the security and safety of society.
She stressed that the design of the “Ramadan Neighborhood” experience is based on a combination of Emirati heritage and the modern approach that characterizes Expo City Dubai, as the event is inspired by the legacy of Expo 2020 in bringing together people from different cultures around Emirati traditions, while the heritage kiosks offer Emirati food related to the holy month, in addition to traditional crafts such as henna engraving, Sadu, basket weaving, and Emirati burqa making.
She added that this heritage atmosphere is integrated with the futuristic architectural design of Al Wasl Square and its interactive dome, which holds the title of the largest immersive interactive dome in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, as its advanced light and sound technologies create a Ramadan atmosphere that blends authenticity and innovation.
She explained that the “Ramadan Neighborhood” experience is not limited to the breakfast table, but rather extends to a wide range of accompanying activities, including light shows on Al Wasl Dome, and free sports activities such as football and basketball, in addition to a children’s play area and traditional Emirati games such as carrom, tabla, and backgammon.
Visitors can also attend the theatrical performance “Rashid and Latifa on a Mission to Search for the Moon” at the Al Wasl Square Theater during weekends. It is an interactive show that aims to introduce children to the values of the month of Ramadan in an enjoyable theatrical style, in addition to creative workshops and henna art experiences that add a cultural and entertainment dimension to the Ramadan experience.
The “Ramadan Neighborhood” in Expo City Dubai reflects a model of events that combine Emirati cultural identity with modern entertainment experiences, thus enhancing Dubai’s position as a global destination for celebrating cultural and social events.
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