DUBAI // What better way to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones than take a sword-fighting workshop with one of the show's former stars, Syrio Forel, played by Greek-Cypriot actor Miltos Yerolemou?
Although the character has made no more appearances since the end of the first season, he takes credit for teaching one of the show’s main characters, Arya Stark, how to wield a weapon. Yerolemou’s character is also known for his catchphrase, “There is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.”
More than 60 people gathered at the workshop, part of the Middle East Film and Comic Con, to learn new skills and interact with the real-life sword master, who was interested in showing participants the difference between what people see on television and what happens in reality.
“Sword fighting is exciting. You have to use your instincts and your awareness, it’s all about staying alive,” he said. “What we see on television is choreography and a lot of flamboyance, compared to real life.”
Yerolemou also explained that size does not matter when it came to sword fighting.
“Just because they are bigger than you, it does not mean they can beat you. They will probably be stronger but probably slower. If you’re smaller, you’ll be faster,” he said. “Use your environment. If you’ve got light, try to get the sun in their eyes. That’s to your advantage.”
One MEFCC visitor and a resident of Dubai, who showed up at the workshop dressed as a Jedi, said he was ecstatic to have met the GoT actor.
"He's an amazing character. He's similar to his character in Game of Thrones, he's got that thing," he said. "This workshop is one of the best ideas that I think has been at any Comic Con. It's an interactive meet and greet, which hasn't happened before."
The physical aspect of the workshop was highly enjoyable, he said.
“It’s a double experience, and then a triple experience with actually physically doing something. I actually did learn a few tips and tricks because it was a quick run down of everything, a crash course,” he said.
Cousins Michelle Wehbe, 17, and Joelle Daher, 14 - who are both big fans of the show - also said they picked up some new skills.
“I am super excited for season five, and now even more excited that I took this crash course with one of the characters,” Ms Wehbe said.
Her younger cousin agreed, saying that the tips they were given could prove useful later down the line.
“I learned new tactics that will be useful if anyone broke in to my house. I probably won’t be able to beat them, but I will try,” she said.
For 24-year-old Abdullah Ismail, the class allowed him the opportunity to practise his hobby.
“I have been teaching myself to sword fight my whole life and this class has taught me the things I have been missing, like the specific steps,” said the Emirati.
The class was not only fun for those learning, but for its teacher, too, said Yerolemou.
“Dubai is great, and I’m excited for a little tour tomorrow to see it properly,” he said.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
RESULTS
Cagliari 5-2 Fiorentina
Udinese 0-0 SPAL
Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta
Lazio 4-2 Lecce
Parma 2-0 Roma
Juventus 1-0 AC Milan
