The world’s first Smurf Village, a mini-world dedicated to the small blue fictional creatures created by Belgian cartoonist, Pierre ‘Peyo’ Culliford, is a keynote attraction at this year’s ‘Summer in Abu Dhabi’ line-up at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Divided into 12 separate districts, Smurf Village features specially-created activities areas for children, including ‘Papa Smurf’s Story Corner’, ‘Smurfette’s Land of Beauty’, ‘Smurf Fun Park’, and ‘The Promenade’ – a tricycle track through the entire 42m-by-24m enclosure in Hall 11 – one of four multi-purpose halls housing this year’s ADNEC activations, which run from June 30 to July 30.
In Smurf Village kids can meet and play with the Smurfs in the ‘mushroom houses’ made famous by the loveable characters’ comic book adventures. In one of the main houses – ‘The Reel Mushroom’ – back-to-back episodes of the ever-popular Smurfs’ TV show will be screened. “Part of Smurf legend is that outsiders cannot find their village except when shown the way by a smurf; thankfully Summer in Abu Dhabi has solved this problem,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the festival.
“The Smurf Village is only one component of what we believe is our most exciting ADNEC activation yet. There really is something for everyone – young or old.”
Currently in the midst of a renaissance in global popularity, the characters’ international appeal will be further boosted when ‘The Smurfs’ movie is released in cinema screens across the world from July 29. Katy Perry, the American pop star, will voice Smurfette, while Hank Aazaria, one of the main contributors to the long-running US TV hit ‘The Simpsons’, will bring sorcerer Garamel, the Smurfs’ sworn enemy, to life.
Elsewhere at ADNEC, the all-new ‘Adventure World’ will find a champion who completes the 11 ‘telematch’-style activities in the fastest time; ‘Career World’ lets kids dress up and try their hands at any one of 12 dream careers, and ‘Show World’ – a specially-constructed, 120-capacity theatre – will feature twice-daily shows by international favourites such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer, as well as Marvel’s Thor, Wolverine, Captain America and Dr. Doom.