• 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
    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
    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
    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
    Mr Ali has been selling balloons at the Global Village for 10 years now. He is from India
  • The 'Americas' pavilion
    The 'Americas' pavilion
  • Ginna Florez sells handmade garments from Ecuador. She has been working at the 'Americas' pavilion for two years
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 Ripley's Believe it or Not exhibition is on display at this year's Global Village season
  • A silverwoks stall at the Yemen Pavilion
    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
    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
    Ahmed Al Asmoori, 22, from Yemen has been selling Yemeni honey at Global Village for two years
  • A carpet shop inside the Iran Pavilion
    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
    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
    Inside the Africa Pavilion
  • A boy plays with an African figurine at the Africa Pavilion
    A boy plays with an African figurine at the Africa Pavilion
  • Tribal statues inside the Africa Pavilion
    Tribal statues inside the Africa Pavilion
  • A view of the Syria 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
    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
    Inside a Moroccan kitchenware shop at the Morocco Pavilion
  • Lollipops on display at the South Korea 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
    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
    Du Junbaa admires his handiwork
  • Statues inside the China Pavilion
    Statues inside the China Pavilion
  • A South Korean caricature artist busy at work in Global Village
    A South Korean caricature artist busy at work in Global Village
  • Another caricature artist working in Global Village
    Another caricature artist working in Global Village
  • Thai fan artist Aishaa has been making fans for 15 years
    Thai fan artist Aishaa has been making fans for 15 years
  • Bosnian House Kebab at Global Village
    Bosnian House Kebab at Global Village
  • A mannequin inside the Japan Pavilion
    A mannequin inside the Japan Pavilion

Family

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

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

February 06, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

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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Read more:

Volleyball in Abu Dhabi: 11 monochrome photos of farm workers playing a friendly match in the desert

Oman's moment of change: 8 striking photos of people as they look to the future

Mina Zayed Port: 13 photos of Abu Dhabi's veteran souq vendors

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Family