GLOBAL entertainment acts, local creatives and a plethora of panels and workshops are set to take centre-stage at 36 locations around Bahrain during the 17th edition of the Spring of Culture festival.
The Spring of Culture programme, announced during a Press conference at Al Dana Amphitheatre, kicks off today and runs for 11 weeks until March 31.
“This year, we have made sure that the festival is part of the larger national vision to promote Bahrain as a centre for cultural production and as a space in which all cultures from around the world can find their commons,” Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities president Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said, during his remarks at the unveiling.
The festival opens today at Riffa Palms at 4pm with ‘JOHN-man BLANKO’ – a unique street performance where two-time Living Statues world champion ‘BLANKO’ is painted over again and again. BLANKO will make appearances at a number of shopping venues over the weekend.
This year’s programme has been developed for Bahrainis, residents and tourists, with events celebrating literature, music, art, fine arts, theatre and more.
Several embassies, including those of Italy, US, India, Japan and France, will also be showcasing their culture as part of the festival’s agenda.
This year’s programme will be conducted at 27 main venues, including the National Museum, Al Riwaq Art Space, Exhibition World Bahrain, Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum and Al Dana Amphitheatre.
In addition, there will be nine pop-up venues at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, Bahrain Farmers’ Market and a number of shopping malls.
Highlights of the festival include staging of Swan Lake at the Grand Hall of Exhibition World Bahrain on March 2 and 3, followed by a Sleeping Beauty performance on March 4. These shows will be performed by the world-renowned Imperial Russian Ballet troupe.
In total, there are more than 50 performances and talks scheduled during the 11-week programme.
The Japanese Film Festival will also take place during Spring of Culture, in collaboration with the Japan Foundation and Japanese Embassy, and will feature screenings of two films on February 15 and 17.
In addition, there will be a number of exhibitions, workshops and intellectual lectures taking place throughout the months of February and March.
The exhibitions will take place at Bahrain National Museum, Memory of the Place-Bin Matar House, Shaikha Hessa Girls School, as well as other private galleries.
Al Jasra Crafts Centre, Flexible Theatre at Bahrain National Theatre, House of Basket Weaving, Cultural Hall and Al Riwaq Art Space will host workshops, in co-operation with the Education Ministry, the Social Development Ministry, NBB Rehabilitation Home for Disabled and cultural institutes.
As a special treat, the Muharraq Supper Club will meet four times in February and March at several locations along the Pearling Path for immersive culinary experiences, discovering the stories behind Bahraini cuisine.
For more details, visit springofculture.org
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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