Manama: Bahrain’s culture minister has pledged a month-long festival of cultural programmes for all tastes, including those of children.
“The different segments of the public, citizens, residents and visitors of the Kingdom will enjoy a remarkable variety of Spring of Culture programmes especially designed to cater to their tastes,” Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al Khalifa said as she announced the launch of the annual cultural event, now in its eighth edition.
“This year’s festival comes at a time when Bahrainis are celebrating Manama as the Capital of Arab Tourism, after having celebrated it last year as the Capital of Arab Culture,” she said on Monday.
Under the slogan “Revealing Bahrain ”, the festival, in March and April, will offer entertainment that features art galleries, music, concerts, poetry, intellectual and political seminars and lectures, as well as a selection of art, theatre and technology performed for families and children.
Charles Aznavour, the French singer with 800 songs, will sing at Arad Fort while Philadelphia singer and songwriter Melody Gardot will bring her blend of jazz-infused music to jazz fans.
Iraqi singer Kadhim Al Sahir, who has sold over 100 million albums worldwide, will conclude the concerts at this year’s festival.
The British Il Divo band will perform a selection of their best songs at the Bahrain National Theatre, in addition to an evening with world renowned Greek musician Yanni, who will play some of his best music.
Classical music lovers will enjoy a unique selection of best international music played by the Mahler Chamber Orchestra at the National Theatre.
Poetry fans will enjoy an evening with Egyptian poet and critic Ahmad Abdul Muti Hijazi, one of the pioneers of the renewal movement in contemporary Arabic poetry.
This year’s festival also includes a lecture on “The Changes of Arab Cinema and Television” by cultural history researcher, journalist, film critic and translator Ebrahim Al Arees.
Media expert Béshara Al Bon will summarise his experience of over three decades in a lecture titled “The Experience of an Arab Journalist in Foreign Media Organisations” while writer Tim Mackintosh-Smith will speak on his experience in travel literature in a lecture on “How to Travel Well – A Masterclass on Travel Writing.”
Political scientist André Azoulay, currently King Mohammad VI’s Special Adviser and chairman of the Committee of Wise Men for the Alliance of Civilisations at the United Nations, will deliver a lecture on “The Clashes of Ignorance in the Mediterranean, The Price to Pay and Lessons for Tomorrow.”
