Bahrain has, today, launched the programme for its Spring of Culture Festival 2010, which begins on 1 March and extends until 31 March. It is the fifth occasion of the annual event that combines the best in international arts with the Kingdom’s own rich cultural heritage.
This year, the Spring of Culture Festival 2010 will include performances from Grammy Award-winning Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall; Omar Bashir, son of Munir Bashir – one of the most famous 20th century musicians in the Middle East and one of the first Arabian instrumentalists known to Europe and America; Mohammed Abdou; the Italian Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio’s multicultural version of Mozart’s The Magic Flute; vocalist sisters Trio Tomb’s concert of Arabic and Lebanese song; and Bale de Rua, featuring Afro-Brazilian music.
The family-orientated programme will also feature many more performers and artists from the fields of the visual arts, music and theatre. An expanded educational programme of seminars, lectures and workshops will, this year, also include “The Spring of Culture Talent Programme”, through which industry experts will motivate young people to participate. In addition, this year’s education agenda will also give members of the audience the opportunity to go backstage and learn more through a series of workshops. The event has something for everyone, including tourists from the region and beyond according to Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB). Spring of Culture 2010 is organised by the Economic Development Board in collaboration with Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Sector 0f Culture and National Heritage, Al Bareh Art Gallery and Al Riwaq Art Space.
“Each year, the Spring of Culture Festival showcases the Kingdom’s finest cultural locations alongside a programme of international appearances. In 2010, a focus on inspiring children and youth reflects our wider efforts to nurture the potential of our growing young population. Our rich history and culture is at the heart of what makes our country so attractive to international business and tourism alike, both playing a key role in achieving the ambitions of our Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy.”
Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy are designed to drive the private sector as an engine for growth, support further diversification of the economy and ultimately elevate national living standards by creating greater opportunities for Bahrainis.
Bahrain has been particularly active in protecting its cultural heritage to allow visitors a journey through the Kingdom’s historical sites. Manama’s Souq has been famous for hundreds of years; Qalat Arad (Arad Fort) dates back to the 15th Century; Qalat al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) – once capital of the ancient Dilum civilisation – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Bahrain National Museum displays archaeological artefacts spanning 6000 years of Bahrain’s history; and a restoration programme on the island of Muharraq – former capital of Bahrain – aims to preserve the Kingdom’s pearling heritage. This “heritage tourism” is part of a tourism sector that today represents about 10 percent of GDP for the most diversified economy in the Gulf.
In 2011, Bahrain will host the first regional summit in 12 years of the world heritage arm of UNESCO, which recently chose the Kingdom as its headquarters for the Arab world.
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre Board of Trustees, added: “This festival presents Bahrain ’s interest in cultural development by bringing to light its most talented youngsters and introducing them to the most renowned performers of the festival who share the common vision of promoting cultural understanding to every world citizen”. |