International masters of puppetry have brought their skills to Dubai for the first time, during the World of Puppets event, held as part of Dubai Summer Surprises this year.
Talent from the US, Italy, Myanmar, Austria, Poland and Egypt will be performing until Saturday at Mirdif City Centre in Dubai, in a family event organised by Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.
The festival will include stage productions and roaming performances. An exhibition and special interactive puppet-making workshops for children are also featured.
The extravagant sets of the Marionette Theatre from Vienna, Austria, will transport visitors to a forest-like dream world, filled with fairies, peacocks, unicorns and butterflies, while the famous Baj Pomorski theatre from Poland will take both young and old to the world of fairy tales and legends.
Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, says: "The Festival features some of the world's most talented puppeteers from theatres across the globe.
"Puppetry is a highly imaginative art form. Holding a puppet in one's hand, or controlling a marionette's strings, empowers a child to bring the puppet to life through role-playing and storytelling."
The Paolo Papparotto Theatre from Italy will recapture the ancient Veneto puppetry tradition through its famous Arlecchino and Pantalone characters, while the internationally renowned HTWE OO Theatre from Myanmar will showcase its puppet tradition that dates back centuries.
Audiences will be drawn into this imaginary world, says Sharaf, and therefore will look beyond the boundaries of the physical stage. He also believes that the global representation of the featured puppeteers reflect the "multicultural diversity of tourists and residents in the UAE".
Daily until Saturday, 2pm to 10pm, in the Central Galleria at Mirdif City Centre. Entry is free
Get up to something: We round up some of the remaining DSS events and live shows
Hamley's Summer Island
Step inside one of the world's most famous and magical toy shops, where children can take part in various activities and competitions - and, if they dress up in tropical costumes, they'll get a chance to take part in a fashion show.
Thursday to Saturday, 4pm to 9pm, the Dubai Mall.
The Black and White Circus
This special DSS performance by talented artists is organised by the Dubai Shopping Malls Group.
Friday and Saturday, 6.30pm, the central atrium, Oasis Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road.
Charlie and Lola
Based on the characters created by Lauren Childs and adapted by Johnathan Lloyd, the animated and humorous series follows the two siblings as they encounter everyday issues.
Daily until Saturday, 4.30pm, 6.30pm and 8pm, the main stage, Mercato Mall.
Teletubbies
At the Dubai World Trade Centre, kids are invited to interact, dance and sing with the world-famous children's TV characters - four aliens from Teletubbyland.
Daily from Saturday to Wednesday at 5pm, 7pm and 8pm, and on Thursday at 5pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm, Dubai World Trade Centre. Free, but entry to Modhesh World costs Dh10.
Hello Kitty Karaoke Show
This 25-minute live show invites the audience to join Hello Kitty and her friends on a journey of song and dance.
Saturday to Wednesday, 4.30pm, 6pm and 7.30pm, Thursday to Friday, 4.30, 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm, free, Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City.
Nemo Show
Watch the characters from the popular animated movie Finding Nemo come alive during this adventure stage show.
Thursday to Saturday, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 9pm, free,Al Ghurair Shopping Centre.
Zimbabwe v UAE, ODI series
All matches at the Harare Sports Club:
1st ODI, Wednesday, April 10
2nd ODI, Friday, April 12
3rd ODI, Sunday, April 14
4th ODI, Tuesday, April 16
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
