- Title: UAE: DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES EVENT RETURNS
- Date: 2nd July 2005
- Summary: (MER1) DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JULY 2, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. PAN FROM SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD TO 'MODHESH', DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES (DSS) FESTIVAL MASCOT, AND THE EMIRATES TOWERS 0.07 2. ZOOM OUT: 'MODHESH' HANGING FROM BUILDING 0.13 3. VARIOUS OF CELEBRATIONS IN SHOPPING MALL (2 SHOTS) 0.29 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IBRAHIM SALEH, DSS CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, SAYING: "This event is considered, since its inception in 1998, as the most significant family and tourist oriented event in the whole region during the summer season. Of course from the beginning, the fundamental purpose has been to offer children a way to enjoy their summer break in Dubai." 1.00 5. VARIOUS OF MAN FILLING OUT RAFFLE COUPON (4 SHOTS) 1.26 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SALEH SAYING: "There is no doubt that the 'Modhesh' personality is 100% an Arab character. He was born in the UAE, and in the city of Dubai in particular, and is associated with the DSS. We noticed the need for Arab children to have an Arab cartoon character because they had grown accustomed to Western cartoon characters. The 'Modhesh' character was inspired by the logo for the DSS: The wide smile and the colours of summer, yellow and blue. He loves peace and he can be a role model for kids." 2.10 (MER1) DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (RECENT - JUNE 30, 2005) (REUTERS) 7. EXTERIOR OF FUNFAIR/PAN TO RAFFLE PRIZE CAR 8. VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF 'MODHESH' FUN CITY (3 SHOTS) 2.42 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ASMA SAYID IBRAHIM, DUBAI RESIDENT/PARENT, SAYING: "We have been here since the morning and neither us nor the children can get enough. First of all it's safe, the kids can't leave the place. There are lots of great games here for the kids, honestly it's really nice." 2.58 10. VARIOUS: CHILDREN TRYING TO WIN 'MODHESH' TOYS/ FAMILY EATING (3 SHOTS) 3.14 11. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALID AHMED AL SABOURI, DUBAI RESIDENT/PARENT, SAYING: "I'm from Dubai and I spend the summer in Dubai, I don't leave unless I have to travel for work. And the summer festival is something my children always wait for during the school break." 3.33 12. VARIOUS OF LEGO STRUCTURE OF UAE FLAG (2 SHOTS) 3.43 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 17th July 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- City:
- Country: United Arab Emirates
- Reuters ID: LVA3QG43BN4HMWYMT9H53U97J2O6
- Story Text: The ever-smiling 'Modhesh' is back in Dubai,
signaling the beginning of the Dubai Summer Surprises event.
There's a new kid on Dubai's block and his name is
'Modhesh'.
Whenever the ever-smiling mascot of the DSS (Dubai
Summer Surprises) makes his annual appearance on highways,
in shopping malls and hanging off buildings, it means that
Dubai is celebrating 10 weeks of shopping discounts,
competitions and fun for kids under the banner of the Dubai
Summer Surprises festival.
While many residents of the Gulf city travel during the
summer to avoid the sweltering heat, the DSS (Dubai Summer
Surprises) has been the main attraction for tourists and
residents alike who are in the small Gulf emirate for the
summer.
"This event is considered, since its inception in 1998,
as the most significant family and tourist oriented event
in the whole region during the summer season. Of course
from the beginning, the fundamental purpose has been to
offer children a way to enjoy their summer break in Dubai,"
said Ibrahim Saleh, Operations Officer of the DSS. With the help
of
sponsorship from local corporations
and multinationals, DSS has set up various activities
spread throughout the summer season, lasting a total of 10
weeks.
The weeks of the DSS are divided into themes, called
surprises, and named according to the activities being held
during that period. The different surprises are organised
by various government departments, in association with the
shopping malls, hotels, and sponsoring companies.
Shopping malls across the city are participating in the
event, offering discounts, raffle prizes and live
performances.
They have also come alive with the bustle and laughter
of children reuniting with their favourite Emirate
character 'Modhesh', which means 'amazing' in Arabic.
"There is no doubt that the 'Modhesh' personality is
100% an Arab character. He was born in the UAE and in the
city of Dubai in particular and is associated with the DSS.
We noticed the need for Arab children to have an Arab
cartoon character because they had grown accustomed to
Western cartoon characters. The 'Modhesh' character was
inspired by the logo for the DSS: The wide smile and the
colours of summer, yellow and blue. He loves peace and he
can be a role model for kids," said Saleh.
The 'Modhesh Fun City' is an indoor funfair for kids.
The venue has rides, games and is open seven days a
week, a welcome alternative to outdoor children's
activities for worried parents.
"We have been here since the morning and neither us nor
the children can get enough. First of all it's safe, the
kids can't leave the place. There are lots of great games
here for the kids, honestly it's really nice," said Asma
Ibrahim, a other attending Fun City with her family.
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