The conclusion of the fifth edition of the global charity The Global Gift Gala in Dubai with the participation of the most important stars

The Dubai International Film Festival announced the closing of the fifth edition of the global charity event 'The Global Gift Gala'. The Palazzo Versace Hotel hosted the activities of the exceptional and successful ceremony on December 8, with the aim of supporting the organizations "Dubai Cares" and "Harmony House", In addition to raising funds for the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Maria Bravo, founder of the Global Gift Foundation, gave a heartfelt speech before the charity auction began, while guests enjoyed the party's atmosphere to the rhythms of the famous song "Despacito", which was sung by international star Luis Fonsi and the spirited soprano from Asia Cia Lee, along with a wonderful performance by the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra. The ceremony also raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through a charity auction, whose list of exhibits was topped by a painting by the famous British painter Sasha Jefri. Chef Mansour Memarian, who has two Michelin stars, presented a variety of his most delicious dishes to the guests.

Embodying the vision of the “Year of Giving 2017” in the UAE, all the funds raised during the ceremony were allocated to support a number of charitable programs in five different continents, which confirms the global nature of this ceremony, through which “Dubai Cares” and the “Global Gift Foundation” will cooperate. To support various charitable projects, including Harmony House in India, as well as other projects in Europe, America and Asia. All donations raised on behalf of the Global Gift Foundation will go to charities aimed at helping Puerto Ricans in need of emergency support following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Presented and sponsored by Cindy Chao the Art Jewel, Huda Beauty and Cocobay Vietnam, the 'Global Gift Gala' hosted an opulent evening by a group of international stars such as Adrien Brody, Vanessa Williams, Luis Fonsi and Alisha Dixon. . Famous presenter Tom Urquhart moderated the event, which was attended by a group of stars and entrepreneurs, including the award-winning TV presenter Nick Aid, who is a global ambassador for the Global Gift Foundation.

Alisha Dixon, the famous British singer, model, presenter and honorary chairperson of the ceremony, presented special awards to Vanessa Williams, Lucy Bruce and Charlotte Knight in honor of their efforts in the field of philanthropy. While Charlotte Knight was honored with the Global Gift for Leadership in Philanthropy, Lucy Bruce received the Global Gift for Philanthropy in recognition of her tireless work with Harmony House. In addition to her participation in the "Global Gift Gala", Dixon has previously participated in many similar events in London, Sardinia, Ibiza and Marbella, which contributed to helping charitable parties raise thousands of dollars for the benefit of the beneficiary institutions.

The live broadcast of the charity auction, which was held on the Internet and was shown throughout the evening of the ceremony on a large screen in front of the audience, many items such as the boxing gloves worn by world champion Muhammad Ali Clay, which sold for more than 15 US dollars, but the live auction During the evening of the concert, he generated more revenue than his counterpart on the Internet. The prestigious charity auction witnessed the sale of a distinguished set of exhibits presented by auctioneers in an enthusiastic manner that kept the audience in a state of entertainment, as an original painting with a gold engraving by artist Salvador Dali sold for $20, in addition to a two-night stay for $16 in a hotel. Royal Mansour Marrakech, to benefit from the spa treatments that were named “Best Spa in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. But the real winners of the evening were the prominent artists, British philanthropist Sacha Jeffrey and Hollywood actor and Oscar-winning painter Adrien Brody, who donated artwork to support the concert's humanitarian causes, totaling $275 and $42 respectively.

The "Global Gift Gala" witnessed the presence of the famous artist, Adrien Brody, producer, director and composer award-winning "Academy Award", who was called a renaissance man in the modern era, who added his handprint and signed the famous painting of Sasha Jefri along with David's footprint Beckham, who acquired the painting before Brody acquired it at an art auction organized by him. His distinguished performance in the films – “The Pianist”, “Midnight in Paris” in which he played Salvador Dali, and “The Grand Budapest Hotel” contributed to establishing his presence at the global level as a brilliant actor who etched his name in films immortalized in history. Brody is a passionate advocate for philanthropic causes that manifests itself in his support for organizations such as Artists for Peace and Justice and Save the Children. In addition to his work as an ambassador for UNICEF, Prodi provides assistance in many other issues in the United States of America and abroad, especially as he sold one of the artworks he owns, in addition to many other works by artists such as Olver Eliasson and Pablo Picasso for 275 US dollars, in As part of his assistance to the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

During her speech upon receiving the 'Global Gift' award for her continued contributions to charitable causes, Hollywood star Vanessa Williams congratulated her mother on her birthday and sang 'The Suites Day'. It is worth noting that Williams has won many awards and nominations during her career, including Grammy Award nominations for her songs "The Right Stuff", "Save the Best for Last" and "Colors of the Wind", in addition to her numerous award nominations. Emmys, a Tony Award nomination, seven NAACP Image Awards nominations, and four Satellite Award nominations. Williams also received her star on the "Hollywood Walk of Fame" on March 19, 2007.

The audience enjoyed musical performances during the ceremony, which included Luis Fonsi's performance of the song "Despacito", the Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra played beautiful concertos, while the Dubai College choir amazed the audience with its performance of captivating melodies while projecting a video on the big screen. Reviews the wonderful work that charities are doing.

Maria Bravo touched the feelings of the guests during her speech, as they were very touched when they heard the most important real reasons that prompted her to establish the 'Global Gift Gala' and then the 'Global Gift Foundation'. As Maria did not have the ability to have children, she decided to dedicate her time to helping children in need, with the help of her friend Eva Longoria, who unfortunately was unable to attend the party due to hosting the Global Gift Foundation in Miami with famous singer Ricky Martin. The duo worked tirelessly for years helping various charities, beginning when Maria asked Eva: “To harness her wonderful voice to shine a light on the ‘Global Gift’”, to agree with Eva and become the official spokesperson for the organization since its inception.

One of the Global Gift projects entitled “The Global Gift Case” presents several initiatives aimed at helping 300 children in Spain, where Maria said at the end of her speech: “These children call me Mama,” followed by a standing ovation from the audience. Maria later praised her philanthropic approach, provided by organization ambassador Nick Ed, saying, "It's not just about giving money to others, it's about giving a helping hand that is at the heart of the cause." Lucy Bruce of Harmony House said: "Maria is a truly wonderful woman, and she is daring in her quest to do good in this world."

This ceremony is the fourteenth event held in 9 different countries, and the fifth in a row in Dubai. Commenting on holding the ceremony in Dubai, Maria Bravo, founder of Global Gift, said: “Dubai is one of the most important destinations that host the ceremony annually, as it is unique The ceremony has been year after year hosting more guests, thanks to the presence of important partners by our side such as Dubai Cares and the Dubai International Film Festival. It also provides a diverse platform for bringing people from different directions to come together to support a common cause, which is helping others. We have all the ingredients for a successful event such as A-list artists, famous actors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, in addition to many wonderful items included in the auction.”

The ceremony comes in the context of the ongoing partnership for the seventh consecutive year between Dubai Cares, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, and the Dubai International Film Festival. Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, said: “We are proud and grateful for everything we have achieved through this long-term partnership with Dubai International Film Festival. The donations collected during the charity event will play an important role in providing much needed support for marginalized children and their families. The DIFF is also helping us create positive and lasting change in the world by supporting organizations like Dubai Cares.”

Abdul Hamid Juma, President of DIFF, said: “The DIFF has established itself in the field of leading cinema, in addition to its unique philanthropic work on a global level. We are proud of our collaboration with Dubai Cares and the Global Gift Foundation, which has enabled us to change the lives of the less fortunate for the better, and truly contribute to making a positive impact on the people who desperately need our help. The festival has also brought film lovers together to support noble causes, as this year’s donations will help families and communities on five different continents, underlining the global nature of the Gift Gala.”

Dubai Cares works to enhance children in developing countries' access to quality education through innovation and financing of integrated and impactful programmes, in addition to their sustainability and scalability. Over the past ten years, Dubai Cares has launched successful educational programs that have reached more than 16 million beneficiaries in 45 developing countries.

The Global Gift Gala is part of the Global Gift Foundation; It is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 by Maria Bravo, with the purpose of focusing on making a positive impact on the lives of women, children and families. The organization has also donated millions of dollars to various projects including 'Fight for Life' for pediatric radiotherapy at UCLLH; UNICEF France to assist in polio immunization in Chad; the Mensagueros de la Blaze family feeding programme; funded an anti-bullying program for the Diana Princess of Wales charity; And the “Princess Diana Prize” organization, in addition to many other projects.

The event was keen to harness the donations collected during the last cycle of the charity event to improve the lives of hundreds of women, children and families on a large scale by financing a variety of projects that serve important issues such as treating childhood cancers, as well as developing a multifunctional center for children suffering from cancer. of rare and chronic diseases, as well as improving the lives of children with special needs in European countries, granting small loans to women who need help, and more.

In addition, the event is supported by Harmony House; It is an Indian non-profit organization registered in the Gurgaon area near Delhi in India, where this organization transformed two villas into two full-time community service centers with the aim of supporting women and children, providing educational services, food, medicines, service facilities and social services to women and children living in the nearby slums, . The event also witnessed a fundraiser for Puerto Ricans who need emergency support following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.