37 photos that show how Global Village lives up to its name: meet the vendors from Yemen, Ecuador, South Korea and more

Some of the vendors have worked in the theme park for decades

Ali Al Gabri, 45, from Yemen has been managing Anhar Honey at the Yemen Pavillion for 20 years now. All photos by Victor Besa / The National

The main entrance of Global Village, busy with visitors

Elif Ordu, 63, from Turkey has been working for the K-14 Turkish pastry stall for 10 years

Mr Ali has been selling balloons at the Global Village for 10 years now. He is from India

The 'Americas' pavilion

Ginna Florez sells handmade garments from Ecuador. She has been working at the 'Americas' pavilion for two years

Azat Lale, 24, from Morocco has been working for the K-14 Turkish pastry stall at the Global Village for three years

Jose Manuel Guandinango, from Ecuador sells handmade garments from his home country and has been working at the 'Americas' pavilion for four years

The Vietnam and Philippines pavilions

Ibrahim Al Ameri, 23, from Syria has been working for the Leather Rose perfume store at the UAE Pavillion for seven years

AHadeir Ibrahim, 25, from Egypt has been working at the Global Village Sultana Garments shop, which her mother owns, for 10 years. She has now taken over the shop

Um Zayed, who does not know her age, is Emirati and became a mother while working at Global Village. She owns the Um Zayed 85a Oud and Perfumes shop at the UAE Pavilion

Global Village is also home to rides and a funfair

Ali Kaci, 25, from Turkey has been serving Turkish ice cream at Global Village for four years

Malik Abdul Rehman, 49, right, and Mohammad Bashir, 50, are cousins and business partners of Karachi Nimko, a snack stall that sells peanuts, peas and other finger snacks. They are both from Islamabad, Pakistan

Shazaib Beeba, 26, from Pakistan has been working for a garments stall in the Pakistan Pavilion for three years

A Ripley's Believe it or Not exhibition is on display at this year's Global Village season

A silverwoks stall at the Yemen Pavilion

Adnan Al Hajj, 29, from Yemen has been working at several different stalls at the Global Village over the course of 12 years. He now works at the Iqra Book Shop stall in the UAE Pavilion

Ahmed Al Asmoori, 22, from Yemen has been selling Yemeni honey at Global Village for two years

A carpet shop inside the Iran Pavilion

Okanta, left, and his wife Diana own the Diana African Soaps and Creams shop at the Africa Pavilion. They have been operating this shop for nine years

Inside the Africa Pavilion

A boy plays with an African figurine at the Africa Pavilion

Tribal statues inside the Africa Pavilion

A view of the Syria Pavilion

Deepinder Singh, 32, from India has been in the Indian hand embroidery apparels business for five years. He opened Changé Shop at the India Pavilion one year ago

Inside a Moroccan kitchenware shop at the Morocco Pavilion

Lollipops on display at the South Korea Pavilion

Clay figurine artist, Du Junbaa, 65, from China has been working in a stall at the China Pavilion for a year

Du Junbaa admires his handiwork

Statues inside the China Pavilion

A South Korean caricature artist busy at work in Global Village

Another caricature artist working in Global Village

Thai fan artist Aishaa has been making fans for 15 years

Bosnian House Kebab at Global Village

A mannequin inside the Japan Pavilion

One of Dubai’s most popular attractions, Global Village is a theme park, funfair, marketplace and foodie destination all rolled into one.

The seasonal event, which runs until April, is split into various sections, with pavilions boasting wares from across the world, from Europe to Africa and right here in the Middle East.

Every week there’s also a concert, plus other one-off activities and events to take part in. This year, a Ripley's Believe it or Not! exhibition is also on display, opening its doors in the UAE for the first time. The exhibit has six galleries, showcasing a collection of rare exhibits and interactive experiences.

Best of all, it’s only Dh15 for entry for an evening full of family-friendly fun.

The National's photographer Victor Besa went along to capture the buzzing atmosphere and the people who make it all happen.

Look through our gallery above to see more of the images.

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