2,000-year-old rug set for Carpet Oasis

Carpet lovers must put one Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) event on their agenda this year: Carpet Oasis, which will display a Mongolian carpet that is said to be one of the world's oldest.

In addition to the regular showcase and sale of premium carpets of the world, this year's Carpet Oasis, organised annually by the Dubai Customs Authority, will put the spotlight on historical and cultural carpets in a special museum at the Dubai Airport Expo.

Abdul Rahman Essa, Head of Committee, Carpet Oasis, told Emirates Business the Mongolian carpet is believed to be 2,000 years old and is being brought to Dubai especially for the DSF.

"This wool carpet, which is called Pazirik, belongs to a museum. It was discovered in Pazirik, 80km from the Mongolian border, in the Altai mountains, under snow and ice and is very well preserved due to that," he said.

"And the other attraction at Carpet Oasis this year will be a 200-year-old silk carpet that is priced at Dh1 million."

Apart from these two special carpets, Carpet Oasis promises a culturally enriching experience to visitors, who will also get to learn how carpets are made and how they have become a part of Arab culture and homes for thousands of years.

Talking about their expectations from the event, Essa said: "Last year's Carpet Oasis generated sales in excess of Dh52m, and this year we expect to generate even more because we have more exhibitors and the exhibition is 30 per cent larger than last year. I think because of the recession and its aftermath people are trying to make up for lost time by exploiting all the channels of business they can."

The event will also have painting exhibitions as well as daily workshops on ceramics, wood engraving, crystal design and collage.

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