Al Shindagah

CONTENTS Joanna Andrews Editor - in - Chief PUBLISHED BY Al Habtoor Group LLC , PO Box 25444, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: +971 4 394 1444 , shindagah@habtoor.com , www.alshindagah.com , www.habtoor.com VICE CHAIRMAN & CEO: Mohammed K. Al Habtoor EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joanna Andrews ART MANAGER: Gilda Castro Rios AL SHINDAGAH COMMITTEE: Maan Halabi, Noura Badawi MEDIA RELATIONS: Radwa Wagdi, Liezl Reamillo Lumanlan, Michaela Podkovcik PHOTOGRAPHER: Mohanan Oruvayalil TRANSLATOR: Nisrine Nader Welcome to this special edition of Al Shindagah featuring La Perle, the region’s first Las Vegas-style theatrical production. La Perle, created by Dragone is brought to Dubai by the Al Habtoor Group. (page 10) We bring you an interview with the man behind the show – the highly-acclaimed artistic director Franco Dragone. (page 13) Plus, we look at how the highly-skilled artists from La Perle maintain their optimum fitness level. (page 18) Qatar dominates the latest Open Talk hosted by Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor. Social media followers got the chance to vocalise their thoughts over the regional spat. (page 8) In Group news, Deák St. Kitchen located in The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest clinches a top gastronomy award. (page 20) Emirates International School – Meadows announces exceptional IB results, with a student clinching the top marks. (page 28) And, success for Habtoor Polo as Mohammed Al Habtoor’s team makes it to the semi-finals of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup – the world’s premier polo tournament. (page 32) Beware Iran’s dangerous Middle East creep Washington’s slap to Egypt is unfair and unwise Open Talk 4 La Perle makes a splash Meet Franco Dragone Optimal fitness 2 4 6 8 10 13 18 The Land of opportunity Politics AHG News Chairman's Message Features 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 Deák St. Kitchen wins Top Gastronomy Award Costa Rica’s first ambassador to the UAE visits Al Habtoor HE Reem Al-Hashimi discusses Expo 2020 Al Habtoor holds talks with Slovakian Ambassador to UAE Creating new habitats The Residence Collection at Al Habtoor City reaches new construction milestone Emirates International School - Meadows gets outstanding results Highlights from Khalaf Al Habtoor’s Instagram Jaeger-LeCoultre Gold Cup Success for Habtoor Polo at premier polo tournament Sports Social Media 8 13 10 32