Dubai: Gulf News has asked tourists and residents who enjoyed the 20th Dubai Shopping Festival to reflect on the most memorable moments. While some associate the shopping festival with good deals and promotions in shops, others created memories in events offered by DSF.
Dana Charkaoui, Lebanese, resident:
My special DSF moment was during the festival’s concerts when I attended Nancy Ajram and Amr Diab’s show with my sister-in-law since it was our first concert together. The two artists managed to make the audience sing and dance. It was a great choice by the DSF organisers to bring two well-known artists to perform here. It was the first time that I saw Nancy Ajram live and it was very special because she sang some of my favourite songs. I also ran into the famous Lebanese presenter, Wissam Breidy, and he was more than willing to take a selfie with me! There was a Russian woman sitting next to me who didn’t speak Arabic but knew all the songs and told me that she was very happy that DSF organisers chose to bring her favourite artists together.
Darshan Nangia and Vimi Nangia, tourists from New York:
What we have seen throughout the Dubai Shopping Festival is beautiful and whoever imagined it and invested this kind of money into a festival like this is just brilliant. I mean, we are coming from New York but the feeling we got from this city during the festival made us feel like children in Disneyland, constantly amazed everywhere we go, anticipating more surprises. Dubai has distinguished itself from other countries and with the festival is has been the most pleasant experience.
Richard Ferre and Andrea Ferre, Filipino, residents:
Personally, we got a really good deal on a TV set with its very own home theatre. To us, this was one of the highlights of our month and it was possible because of the Dubai Shopping Festival. It is the first time for us to purchase a TV of that kind with a home theatre and now we did because we had a very good discount. If it wasn’t for the DSF promotion, we would have never purchased the TV because we wouldn’t have been able to afford both separately.
Keith Mad Vagabond and Viebke Mad Vagabond, Australian, tourists:
To us, the moment we arrived at Dubai, the first thing we did was take a picture to send back home. We’ve seen the process of the malls getting built but when we came we were amazed by the things the festival has to offer. It’s always interesting to see what this country will create next!
Mariliez Hani, Egyptian, tourist:
I feel like the whole Dubai Shopping Festival was my special moment. My fiance and I flew in from Egypt for the festival so we can enjoy the shopping and the events it has to offer. I think it’s perfect that the DSF is held during this time of the year since the weather is great since outdoor events organised by the festival, like concerts, are enjoyable that way. About the shopping part, my fiancé and I are getting married soon so of course we found great deals on electronics and clothes. For instance, my fiancé bought a professional camera that had a special promotion thanks to DSF and with it we will be able to capture memories and milestones of our lives together. He is into photography anyway and with his new advanced camera he can continue to pursue his hobby.
Maria Botros is a trainee at Gulf News.
