DUBAI // What better way to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones than take a sword-fighting workshop with one of the show's former stars, Syrio Forel, played by Greek-Cypriot actor Miltos Yerolemou?
Although the character has made no more appearances since the end of the first season, he takes credit for teaching one of the show’s main characters, Arya Stark, how to wield a weapon. Yerolemou’s character is also known for his catchphrase, “There is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.”
More than 60 people gathered at the workshop, part of the Middle East Film and Comic Con, to learn new skills and interact with the real-life sword master, who was interested in showing participants the difference between what people see on television and what happens in reality.
“Sword fighting is exciting. You have to use your instincts and your awareness, it’s all about staying alive,” he said. “What we see on television is choreography and a lot of flamboyance, compared to real life.”
Yerolemou also explained that size does not matter when it came to sword fighting.
“Just because they are bigger than you, it does not mean they can beat you. They will probably be stronger but probably slower. If you’re smaller, you’ll be faster,” he said. “Use your environment. If you’ve got light, try to get the sun in their eyes. That’s to your advantage.”
One MEFCC visitor and a resident of Dubai, who showed up at the workshop dressed as a Jedi, said he was ecstatic to have met the GoT actor.
"He's an amazing character. He's similar to his character in Game of Thrones, he's got that thing," he said. "This workshop is one of the best ideas that I think has been at any Comic Con. It's an interactive meet and greet, which hasn't happened before."
The physical aspect of the workshop was highly enjoyable, he said.
“It’s a double experience, and then a triple experience with actually physically doing something. I actually did learn a few tips and tricks because it was a quick run down of everything, a crash course,” he said.
Cousins Michelle Wehbe, 17, and Joelle Daher, 14 - who are both big fans of the show - also said they picked up some new skills.
“I am super excited for season five, and now even more excited that I took this crash course with one of the characters,” Ms Wehbe said.
Her younger cousin agreed, saying that the tips they were given could prove useful later down the line.
“I learned new tactics that will be useful if anyone broke in to my house. I probably won’t be able to beat them, but I will try,” she said.
For 24-year-old Abdullah Ismail, the class allowed him the opportunity to practise his hobby.
“I have been teaching myself to sword fight my whole life and this class has taught me the things I have been missing, like the specific steps,” said the Emirati.
The class was not only fun for those learning, but for its teacher, too, said Yerolemou.
“Dubai is great, and I’m excited for a little tour tomorrow to see it properly,” he said.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
