Honoring the UAE’s 50 years of growth and prosperity, Mall of the Emirates has staged a new cultural installation, ‘Zeman Awwal’, that looks back on the country’s deep-rooted history and reflects on its thriving future through nine different areas. Translating to ‘Old Times’, the area offers a one-of-a-kind nostalgic experience supported by workshops, food, activities, films, and exhibitions.
Extending across 1,100 sqm of space, Zeman Awwal is set to be the ultimate national day go-to for residents in the UAE. “Everything that we deliver at Majid Al Futtaim has solid roots thanks to the strong leadership of the UAE who never cease to celebrate our traditions and maintain a future mindset to pave the way for generations to come” revealed the Director of Mall of the Emirates, Hussain Moosa at Majid Al Futtaim Properties.
Rolling out films of Emirati productions and visual elaborations of what old UAE looked like, the Majlis Cinema provides a unique boutique-style watching experience. Nostalgically digging out more than 100,000 years of UAE history, documentaries like History of the Emirates, Saruq Al Hadid and Al Kameen are displayed on the screens of the majlis.
Zeman Awwal also features an exclusive exhibit of traditional dresses in collaboration with the Zay initiative in an ode to past fashion. Other pop art pieces from local and international artists will feature installations bringing the ocean and the desert to the mall. “Through the launch of Zeman Awwal, visitors will be truly immersed in experiences curated to honor the essence of the UAE, which are not only entertaining but educational as well,” Moosa added.
This space is considered an entertaining experience, but it is also a form of cultural preservation that intelligently melds the best of the worlds of shopping and culture under one roof. It celebrates the country’s DNA, and the transformation it has gone through over time to become one of the most prosperous countries in the world. In Moosa’s words, “Zeman Awwal represents the best of the past and the promise of the future of UAE, offering lasting memories for all.”
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