This Friday (Jan 16), Rochelle and I leave for almost two weeks for Thailand. We have booked the whole time at the Best Western Hotel on Karon Beach in Phuket. We are staying until Jan 29, when we will return to start the second semester on Feb 1.
Marlene and Kerry will be "housesitting" with Melissa. However Melissa will take one of those weeks and head off to see a friend in Spain.
Watch for stories and pictures.
http://www.phuket-ocean.com/
Monday, January 12, 2009
Freej Folklore
A new Cultural Phenomonon - The Simpsons of the Middle East
A couple of years ago a new cartoon series showed up on local television - Freej. It consisted of four old Arab women dressed in traditional clothing, including the burka (face mask), going on adventures. It became an instant hit with the young folk and even with adults. It is now in its fourth season and has spawned a whole industry of toys and accessories.
I teach a course on leadership where I require my students to select a significant leader to research and interview. One of my students selected Mohammed Saeed Hareb, the young man who created Freej. She arranged to take our whole class to Dubai to visit him and see his
production facilities. In the course of our meeting and discussion he told us about his approach and strategies – to make Freej, not just a cartoon series, but a cultural phenomenon similar to what the Simpsons is in the U.S. He is well on his way. These are probably the most recognizable characters in the UAE and now in some neighbouring countries.
He also told us about a major stage production he was planning in Dubai that used the characters. He showed us a video and encouraged us to go. The students all wanted me to take them on a field trip to this show. I said I would not organize a field trip, but if they arranged a trip, I would come along. So they did.
Six students organized a bus and five teachers came along, including Rochelle. The show was quite the production. Not exactly as good as a Broadway play, but very well done for the region. It combined live performers with cartoon characters and video, all on a live stage. At times you could not tell the cartoon characters from the real performers. It was great.
The girls, who don’t often get out, were thrilled to take their teachers on a trip. We got to spend some time before and after the show with Mohammed, the creator of the characters. He is an amazing young man.
I teach a course on leadership where I require my students to select a significant leader to research and interview. One of my students selected Mohammed Saeed Hareb, the young man who created Freej. She arranged to take our whole class to Dubai to visit him and see his
production facilities. In the course of our meeting and discussion he told us about his approach and strategies – to make Freej, not just a cartoon series, but a cultural phenomenon similar to what the Simpsons is in the U.S. He is well on his way. These are probably the most recognizable characters in the UAE and now in some neighbouring countries.He also told us about a major stage production he was planning in Dubai that used the characters. He showed us a video and encouraged us to go. The students all wanted me to take them on a field trip to this show. I said I would not organize a field trip, but if they arranged a trip, I would come along. So they did.
Six students organized a bus and five teachers came along, including Rochelle. The show was quite the production. Not exactly as good as a Broadway play, but very well done for the region. It combined live performers with cartoon characters and video, all on a live stage. At times you could not tell the cartoon characters from the real performers. It was great.
The girls, who don’t often get out, were thrilled to take their teachers on a trip. We got to spend some time before and after the show with Mohammed, the creator of the characters. He is an amazing young man.
In addition to going to the show, the girls arranged for a 4 hour shopping spree to the new Dubai Mall,one of the worlds largest malls, which is in the shadow of the Burj Dubai - the world's largest building. We were all exhausted after tramping through this large facility.
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