DSF 2008 set for a grand beginning

Dubai Festival City, a flagship project of the Al Futtaim Group - a DSF 2008 key sponsor, will host the Opening Ceremony of the Festival.

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of DSF said, "Today's opening ceremony is a celebration of huge team efforts of the past few months. the DSF Office always strives towards excellence in all the Shopping Festival editions. This relentless aspiration for raising the bar of success every year is only inspired by the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as an international hub for business and tourism."

"The Opening Ceremony will usher in the thirteenth edition of DSF in a magnificent show that will also reflect the high standard of events for DSF 2008. By virtue of the spectacular elements in the show, the DSF Opening Ceremony is by itself a Signature event of DSF this year."

Suhail also stated that the festival's arms are wide open for all its visitors from around the world, and that this years edition has something for every one. "With more than 100 event spread over the period of 32 days, we are sure that no matter where you come from or how old you are, you will have a great time in Dubai during the festival".

For the first time in a DSF edition, the Opening Ceremony will be repeated on January 25 and January 26 to enable families in Dubai to experience the excitement of a DSF opening.

Tom Miles, Senior General Manager Retail, Dubai Festival City said, "Festival Marina with the Dubai skyline across the Creek is the ideal venue for this extravaganza. We are very proud to have been chosen as the first shopping centre to host the opening of DSF. This year's event coincides with our own inaugural celebrations marking the opening of Festival Centre, Festival Marina, five automotive showrooms, three hotels managed by InterContinental Hotels Group, Four Seasons Golf Club, three residential communities, two schools, and Festival Tower offices."

"We are excited that elements of the impressive DSF Opening event will be repeated in two public shows to be held at 8 pm on the evenings of Friday 25 and Saturday 26 at Festival Marina, Festival Centre which will provide a fantastic opportunity for families to come and enjoy the experience," he added.

Tom Miles also commented that the mall would be holding a host of activities that would enable visitors to win exciting prizes throughout DSF 2008. DSF 2008 will run from January 24 to February 25, showcasing some of the finest shopping and family entertainment in the region.