Lorena and Sandra Anaya's act leaves shoppers in awe
Visitors to a Dubai shopping mall are being urged to experience a more colourful festival. There is certainly no shortage of things to brighten a quick browse around the shops at Dubai Festival City during DSF.
At every turn, you run the risk of bumping into a stilt walker, acrobat or mime artist.
But on the main stage it was the silk contortionists who stole the show.
People of all ages stood in awe as sisters, Lorena and Sandra Anaya, 21 and 22, appeared more than 20 metres above them, held only by two pieces of draped silk.
The pair moved gracefully in and around the silk to music, performing a routine capable of keeping any youngster entertained for hours.
Higher and higher
But beware - don't relax too much. Just as you start to gain confidence in the pieces of silk and faith in the petite-framed girls, you're brought back down to earth with a bump.
After a few minutes of working their way higher and higher towards the ceiling they simply let themselves fall in a number of jerky movements.
You can literally hear the crowd gasp in horror at the prospect of them hitting the hard floor below. But, just as with every good circus act, the girls escape without a scratch and you exhale in the knowledge it was all part of the impressive act.
Joined on stage by Edward Bastidas, 22, and Tatiana Morales, 26, the Anaya sisters say they have loved performing in Dubai and hope to return year after year.
'Extended family'
Lorena said: "I have been performing ever since I can remember. Although my sister is on stage with me I see all the other acrobats as my extended family.
"We support and encourage each other, which is important when you are carrying out dangerous routines and acts."
The silk acrobats are part of Icubaxion - an entertainment company from Columbia - and were brought to the emirate for the shopping festival by Dubai-based events team, Chemistry.
Bastidas added: "It takes a lot of training to do what we do as it works every muscle in your body at the same time. It is hard work but very rewarding.
"We have all been together for 10 years and originally learnt the routine we are doing today from some teachers at college. We have perfected the routine and have also added special bits for the people of Dubai."
Don't miss it
The team performs nine shows a day from 6pm to 10pm, Sunday to Wednesday, from 6pm to 11pm on Thursday, and from 12 noon to 11pm on Friday and Saturday until February 24.
Shows take place in the main Festival Square, at Dubai Festival City, and when the team isn't occupying the skies of the mall, roaming artists, including stilt walkers, jugglers, mime artists and living statues, are always on hand to entertain.
