Award-winning Syrian Pavilion - a big draw at Global Village

Three times "Best Organized Pavilion" competition winner from 2000 to 2003, this time the breathtaking replica of the Omayyad Mosque complete with exquisite details of the latticed windows and carved doors and stained glass decorations of the Syrian pavilion stands out like a monument from a past era.

The two storey high mosque has been replicated with unerring accuracy including the beautiful mosaic glass windows placed on the top which provides an uncanny resemblance to the original structure in Syria, the base of civilisation.

When one steps inside the pavilion, an ambience of a traditional Damascus courtyard house greets you, with the beautifully ornate shops resembling the Northern Damascus souq and homes. The shops that sell an assortment of traditional Syrian ware including Abayas (traditional Arab cloak), crystal, antique, traditional music instruments, wood work "Arabesk", herbs, traditional sweets, weaving work, curtains, etc. symbolise the wealthy civilisation of the country. For the thirsty visitors, the soothing traditional juice "Erq Soos" provides a welcome respite.

Yaseen Alhedr, organiser of the Syrian pavilion says, "Competition leads to creativity. In the year 2000 the pavilion looked like the Hamidia Souq and the gate looked like the seventh Damascus gate with the exact replica of the beautiful roof of the Damascus Old Souq. In 2001, the pavilion resembled Samaan Castle and a bit of Omayyad Mosque and in 2002, we had a big Tadmur amphitheatre after the Tadmur Souq located in the Syrian desert. The year 2003 saw the theme of Logaryt which contained museums with coastal Syrian shops. The creativity that goes behind the design of the pavilion every year by our team is tremendous, and it has been that together with the desire to provide the best for the Global Village visitors that has set us apart," he says.

Visitors to this pavilion can also experience the sounds of the religious folkloric band "Mawaly" providing live entertainment. The band performs daily giving an insight into the heritage of the country.

The trade participants of the Syrian pavilion, one of the oldest participating countries at the Global Village, rely on their many years of experience to meet the varied tastes of the visitors.

"The beautiful crystal chandeliers have become an instant hit with visitors this time," says Waheed Abdulla, a fifth time participant. "In our first year we sold exotic Syrian vases then we added perfumes, Buhkoor, lamps and garment-chandeliers. Our stall attracts a cross-section of customers from Arabs, Russians and Italians. Usually the Europeans prefer the small works so that they can carry them back to their home country," he says.

Orwa Hussain, owner of an antique shop sells beautiful wood work and lamps. "We have participated in all the past years' Global Village, and despite the wide variety of nationalities visiting, there always seems to be something or the other that catches everyone's fancy," he says.

The rows of knick-knack shops attractively displaying the traditional antique Syrian items gives one a sensation of walking through an aisle selling heritage items in a Damascus souq.

Emad the owner of a home furniture shop (Arabesk work) is from a family of craftsmen of many generations. "Some of my works take very long time to complete due to its intricate nature, sometimes using shells and silver threads. But the appreciation of the beauty of the final products by shoppers always makes it worthwhile," he says.