Dubai Heritage Vision to promote regional culture and heritage
The AED 18 billion Dubailand project promoted by Dubai Tourism Development Company announced today the signing of an agreement with Dubai Heritage Vision to promote local and Middle Eastern culture and heritage at the mega development.


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From left to right: Anita Mehra Homayoun from Heritage Vision; Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman, DDIA; Tariq Ahmad Baker from Dutco Group of Companies; Salem bin Dasmal, Deputy Director General, DDIA.

'A permanent showcase of the Arab culture and heritage will be created at the world-class Dubailand. It is aimed to enrich Dubai's tourism attractions and provide visitors and residents with a unique recreational and learning experience of the history of our region,' said Mohammed Al Gergawi, DDIA Chairman.

Dubai Heritage Vision is a joint venture between Heritage Vision France and the Dutco Group of Companies. The agreement was signed by Al Gergawi on behalf of Dubai Tourism Development Company, which will build and manage Dubailand. Founders Anita Mehra Homayoun and Pierre Marcout, signed for Heritage Vision. Dutco Group of Companies was represented by Tariq Ahmad Baker.

Heritage Vision is affiliated with Heritage Vision France, which has created similar cultural tourism projects in Marakkesh, Morocco, and is opening another in Angkor Wat in Cambodia next year.

Dubai Heritage Vision will be located on 380 hectares of tranquil desert in the Nad Al Sheba area. The project's objective is to create an authentic Desert Village Oasis capturing the regional flora and fauna and exhibiting the culture, handicrafts and arts of the region. The story of the regions history will be told through a world renowned theatrical sound and light show set against the backdrop of the desert.

'The authentic effects will be realised through a an internationally acclaimed choreographed sound and light show using performers and trained animals, fireworks and water effects. It will be viewed from a specially designed outdoor amphitheatre set into the desert against a backdrop of giant sand dunes and water features,' said Al Gergawi.

'The project shall comprise a number of phases of construction, which shall commence with the construction of the site infrastructure, amphitheatre and the souk development. Future phases shall incorporate the themed hotel developments, caravanserai, and authentic desert adventures and highlights comprising a fully committed eco-tourism experience,' said Tariq Ahmad Baker. He pointed out that the show is inspired by the UAE and the Middle East region's rich history and culture. 'The musical and theatrical creativity will capture the essence of the region and the experience will be enhanced by the latest in technological special effects.'

'Visitors to this exciting permanent attraction in the desert, which is only 20-minutes drive from Jumeirah, will be able to step back in time from the minute they arrive,' said Anita Mehra Homayoun.

'Greeted by the serenity of the desert, they will enter a desert village with souks and cafes. Authentic Bedouin life where the art of falconry, horse-riding, handicrafts and story telling will transport the visitor to another time and place. The visitor will be surrounded by the indigenous architecture of the village, the desert landscaping as well as the authenticity of the entire ambience, which includes traditional Arabian restaurants and cafes,' Anita added.

She said the idea of Dubai Heritage Vision was conceived through the realisation that before it is too late, the rich traditions and heritage of the UAE and the Middle East need to be preserved. Through this unique project, the wonderful story of this region can be told and experienced. Not only will visitors from foreign lands learn about this unique culture, but the nationals and residents will be able to experience what their forefathers experienced first hand.

The design and project management is with the joint venture of Jean Michel Ruols Architects France and Dubai-based architectural consulting firm Edifice Design and Project Management. The financial consultant is Dubai-based Executive Consultants who are affiliated with AT Kearney.

The Dubai Tourism Development Co has reached an agreement with Dubai Heritage Vision to have a permanent showcase of local and Middle East culture at the Dh18 billion Dubailand development.


Set up by Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), Dubai Tourism Development Co is the operating company for the Dubailand project.


"It aims to enrich Dubai's tourism attractions and provide visitors and residents with with a unique recreational and learning experience of the history of our region," said Mohammed Al Gergawi, chairman of DDIA.


Dubai Heritage Vision is a joint venture between Heritage Vision France and the Dutco Group. It will be located on 380 hectares of desert in the Nad Al Sheba area. The project's objective is to create an authentic 'Desert Village Oasis'.


Dubai Heritage Vision's founders are Anita Mehra Homayoun and Pierre Marcout.


Heritage Vision France has created similar cultural tourism projects in Marrakesh, Morocco, and is opening another in Angkor Wat in Cambodia next year.


In Dubailand "the effects will be realised through an internationally acclaimed choreographed sound and light show using performers and trained animals, fireworks and water effects," added Gergawi.


"It will be viewed from a specially designed outdoor amphitheatre set in the desert against a backdrop of giant sand dunes and water features."


The design and project management is a joint venture of Jean Michel Ruols Architects France and Dubai-based Edifice Design and Project Management. The financial consultant is Dubai-based Executive Consultants, affiliated with AT Kearney.

oh wow what a day for news

Did the construction of this desert village even start?

supposed to be ready 2006.

New Dubailand project to focus on Arabian culture

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Dubai Heritage Vision, which promotes the heritage and culture of the Arabian world, will launch its first initiative, the Al Sahra desert resort at Dubailand, in September.

Dubai: Al Sahra, a multi-billion dirham heritage and tourism development that will cover 40 million square feet in Dubailand, will become a new tourism attraction, developers Dubai Heritage Vision (DHV) said yesterday.

The master-planned project will host 50 luxury tented lodges and a 132-room caravanserai styled boutique hotel when it is completed in 2008.

"In the initial phase, we will complete 10 lodges by the fourth quarter of this year, while the rest will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2008," said a spokesperson.

DHV, a joint venture between Dutco Group and Dafco, will be led by Anita Mehra Homayoun, a UAE-based entrepreneur who is also the director of marketing and corporate communications at the Department of Civil Aviation.

"The project will have various Arabic themed areas that will focus on the GCC and the UAE, Levant, Arab Maghreb, Yemen and Oman, as well as Iranian motifs and artefacts giving the viewers a unique experience of the Arab world's cultural diversity," he said.

The project will also host an Arabian souq which will highlight the traditional art and crafts and workmanship of the Arab world, while also hosting a series of workshops involving coppersmiths and silversmiths. It will have palm plantation areas and will showcase the traditional irrigation system, falaj.

"Dutco Balfour Beatty Construction is currently carrying out the infrastructure works of the project," he added.

The project's first component, Jumana Secret of the Desert is an amphitheatre that will host 4,500 people in an open desert dunescape environment.

"Jumana is truly unique in terms of its size and use of advanced technology. What we set out to do is to create a unique spectacle of song, theatre, dance and state-of-the-art technology, presented against the breath-taking silhouette of a phenomenal desert landscape, 30 minutes from the heart of Dubai," Homayoun said in a statement.

Al Sahra will compliment Dubailand, which will host more than a dozen theme parks and has already attracted over Dh65 billion in investment so far.

Dubai Heritage Vision, which promotes the heritage and culture of the Arabian world, will launch its first initiative, the Al Sahra desert resort at Dubailand, in September.

looks like it's pushed back to 2008

yeah some parts will be completed this year, Q4.

i want to see this project.

IMRE drive out there and give us an update, same goes for outlet mall :D

u lot are soo tight on imre..asking him drive out all the way out there

:|

wow...i've never even heard of this before..sounds cool

pics friom 7days:

http://i2.tinypic.com/21osxfp.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/21osxoi.jpg

R

what's the sense of all this
why complete 10 tents in 2006 and the rest until 2008

who the heck is the manager of this crazy garbage? :|

Breathtaking technology to captivate visitors at Dubailand
Al Sahra, the first initiative of Dubai Heritage Vision to be launched at Dubailand in mid-September, is all set to captivate its visitors with the world-class show 'Jumana - Secret of the Desert' - stunning audio-visual, pyrotechnics, water and laser effects, some of which have never been seen in the Middle-East before.


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Anita Mehra Homayoun, Chairperson of Al Sahra.



'Jumana - Secret of the Desert' will celebrate the Arabian region's rich history and culture, translating fable and folkloric themes from Persia, the Maghreb, the Levant, the Gulf region, Oman and Yemen, into a spellbinding fantasy. The show will be performed on a stage set in a waterbody containing 10 million litres of water - the size of the stage is on par with world class opera or ballet theatre stages such as the La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden or the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
The show incorporates various imagistic theatre techniques.

Laser effects:
State of the art laser effects that will interact during the entire show, creating images and effects across the amphitheatre are generated using two lasers located on the amphitheatre stage in three projection cabins.

Water effects:
The extravaganza is supported by various large-scale water effects, the most impressive of which are the three water screens that will create a backdrop to the performance area.
Complimented by various other attractions including multiple oscillating jets, mist screens and 50 meters high geysers jets, the water effects will form an integral part of the show.

Sound:
A state-of-the-art sound system provides clear, precise sound with an output of between 110dB and 120dB at any point in the amphitheatre.

Stage mechanics:
The Al Sahra stage is 35 meters from left to right and 25 meters from front to back, surrounded by 10 million litres of water. The show has been created using various stage mechanics and scenic effects. Two key elements that will be used are four hydraulic lifts built into the stage area and a suspended cable running across the top of the stage, capable of handling half a ton of weight and used for various aerial effects in the show. The stage lifts are made up of three units of 6.0m x 3.5m and a fourth measuring 12.0m x 5.0m.

Projection:
Al Sahra employs some of the most advanced projection techniques and projection equipment to enhance the excitement of the Jumana show - animation, video and stills images are projected onto eighteen meter high man made dunes and the water screens. All projections are High Definition (HD). The video projectors are the best currently available in the world market - these are connected to HD players via fibre optic links. The video projections will further be enhanced by scenic projection across the 125.0m wide dune that forms a backdrop to the performance area.

Miscellaneous:
Over 15 000 m of signal and fibre optic cable have been installed on the site to manage various information signals that need to be transmitted during the course of the show. All information is transmitted via the show control room located in the centre of the amphitheatre building above the audience.

Pyrotechnics:
Pyrotechnics designer, Francois Montel of Groupe F, who lit the Eiffel Tower at the turn of the millennium; and provided the fantastic visual effects at the Greek Olympics in Athens, has been contracted to provide the fireworks and pyrotechnics show. Fireworks form an essential part of the show.

Shells ranging up to 150mm in size with specially created effects add to the visual extravaganza. In addition, the first permanent installation of Groupe F flame projectors in the Middle East allows the creative team at Jumana to mix fire, water and mist in the forestage area, creating some incredible effects during the show.

'We are confident that the fusion of different light, water, laser and pyrotechnic effects added to the vibrant music in the background will deliver a truly original spectacle to the audience at Jumana,' said Anita Mehra Homayoun, Chairperson of Al Sahra

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i am very excited about this.

Theatrical show to boost Dubai's desert tourism

By Robert Ditcham, Staff Reporter

Dubai: A spectacular theatrical show featuring the voice of Egyptian-born screen legend Omar Sharif is central to efforts to turn parts of Dubai's desert into a major tourist attraction.

The Jumana - Secret of the Desert show at the Al Sahra desert resort in Dubailand is an hour-long combination of laser, water and fireworks effects incorporated around a traditional bedouin storyline.

The pyrotechnics display is the work of Francois Montel, who lit up the Eiffel Tower during France's millennium celebrations and worked on the opening of the Greek Olympics in Athens.

Project investors Dubai Heritage Vision - a joint venture between Dutco Group and Dafco - have billed the live show as the star attraction of the 40 million square foot Al Sahra resort, saying tour operators plan to incorporate the event into organised tours of Dubai.

Amphitheatre

"We wanted to re-enact a Dubai story in the desert using a combination of technology and the choreography and music that belong to the region," said UAE-based entrepreneur Anita Mehra Homayoun, project leader and partner in the multi-million-dollar project.

The show, which is open to the public, is performed in Al Sahra's 4,500-seat amphitheatre. The arena, which is the main feature of the project's Dh80 million first phase, is also being billed as a venue for concerts, weddings and conferences.

Plans are being finalised for a 150-room caravan-serai-style hotel and 60 five-star rated tented lodges (due for completion by the end of 2007), with developers considering adding residential units. Planners hope the resort will attract 200,000 to 250,000 visitors a year.

"Building residences is something we'll look into, but the first part of the development is focused on making it an entertainment, heritage and leisure destination," said Homayoun.

"We don't want to exploit the site and let building get out of hand. We want to keep this a very exclusive and serene area and if we include residential developments it would be along the same lines - a weekend home or second home where people live for the serenity that the desert offers."

Arabian souq

The project will also host an Arabian souq which will highlight the traditional art and crafts and workmanship of the Arab world, while also hosting a series of workshops involving coppersmiths and silversmiths. It will have palm plantation areas and will showcase the traditional irrigation system, falaj.

Other activities include camel riding, date picking, falcon displays and desert walks.

Al Sahra will compliment Dubailand, which will host more than a dozen theme parks and has already attracted over Dh65 billion in investment so far.

Al Sahra Desert Resort

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http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9079/imresolt111mw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

i went there for the porsche cayenne launch a few months back..pretty amazing

http://www.alsahra.com/alsahragallery.htm

Google image of the sahra resort...compare with pics in post#16
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http://www.alsahra.com/image/Loc.gif