It’s vive la Bahrain!

Is it the first time that a French Week is being organised in Bahrain?

Well the previous French Week was organised four years ago and that was a regional event. But this year it is exceptional because Bahrain is the only country in the entire gulf region that is having such a celebration.

Is there any significance of the timing of the French Week?
The French Week is normally held in June but since that is close to the summer break we decided to bring it forward. It was a big challenge to have it in May because only five months ago the board members of the Bahraini French business started discussing the entire event. But seeing how things have progressed I think that we have managed to put together an event that will certainly go down well with the people of Bahrain.

Who are the organisers?
The Bahraini French Business Club in co-ordination with the French Embassy and is held under the patronage of the Economic Development Board.

What are the highlights of the French week?
We have a great week planned for the people of Bahrain. A popular French band or shall we say the inventors of street opera, The Grooms will be performing at the opening ceremony. The general public will also be able to enjoy them when they take their music to the major malls in Bahrain. We have another famous Versailles era opera, French singer, Sapho, a two star Michelin chef, Claude Bosi, Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner, Lido dancers, French magician and much more planned for the French extravaganza. 

How are you planning to pull off such an event?
We have professional people at the helm of affairs that are playing a crucial role in putting the entire event together and then of course we have the support of the French Embassy. For example the director of Alliance Francaise is overseeing the cultural aspect of the event, the general manager of Intercontinental is in charge of gastronomy, we have a banker serving as a treasurer, the Trade commissioner at the French embassy, a leading publisher and many others form an imperative part of our committee for the French Week.

What are you planning to achieve by organising such an extravaganza of French delights?
Our objectives are manifold. We want to promote French culture, fashion, cuisine, products, hospitality, cinema and well in a nut shell we want to promote France as a nation so the people of Bahrain are tempted to visit the country. We want the people to become aware of the French products. But most importantly we are looking to signing a Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain in future which means greater co-operation between both countries for closer economic ties. Free Trade Agreement would allow both countries to export their products without the mandatory custom duty. In Bahrain the custom duty is five per cent for all French products entering the country. So such an agreement benefits both countries in future.

Do you think that the French Week will be a success?
I think it will be a huge success because the response so far has been great. We have 31 sponsors to date and the people of Bahrain are expressing a great interest in the planned events.