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Organisers of Spring of Culture 2008 - the Gulf's biggest and most diverse annual arts and cultural festival - today announced the line-up for its most exciting festival yet.
With more than 30 events over five weeks, beginning on Saturday and running through to the F1 Weekend in early April, Spring of Culture 2008 features bigger names, more local talent and even more must-see events in its third successful year.
For 2008, Spring of Culture once again produces a heady mix of the best in international, regional and local music, dance, theatre, visual and performing arts combined with poetry, literature, journalism and art and sculpture exhibitions.
In a real coup for the festival's organisers, Arabia's best-loved diva Fayrouz will be appearing live in Bahrain for the first time in a decade.
The legendary singer is set to perform at Arad Fort on March 12 in what is sure to be Bahrain's hottest ticket of the year, as audiences once again flock to hear her perform.
In an inspired move, this year's festival also boasts a dedicated family programme, with seven events either created especially for children or offering real appeal for all ages.
These include Teatro Metastasio Stabile della Toscana's Children's Cheering Carpet - The Japanese Garden, an interactive theatre performance which combines dance, storytelling and audience participation in two daily shows at the Salman Cultural Centre (27-29 March); storyteller Roger Jenkins in a captivating performance involving masks and puppetry (at the same venue, 15 March); and Jump - the award-winning Korean martial arts performance and international sell-out success at Arad Fort (March 21 and 22).
The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre from Thailand, where every puppet is controlled by three puppeteers who are also classically trained dancers, will be on display, (March 7, Culture Hall) and the Chinese Little Wood Martial Arts, which combines martial arts with modern dance, music and spectacular staging (March 23, Culture Hall).
Also confirmed is Paco Pe–a's A Compas! An evening of flamenco and gypsy music, song and dance from the man hailed as the 'Saviour of Flamenco', Paco Pe–a at Arad Fort (March 14); 'and one of the world's most captivating percussion groups STOMP, (Arad Fort, April 3,4 and 5).
Local talent features more strongly than ever in this year's festival. Bahrain Arts Society boasts a Triple Scultpure Exhibition by renowned-Bahraini artists Ali Al Mahmeed, Mahdi Al Bannai and Fuaad Al Binfalah.
Al Zayed House will be filled with sculptural forms in celebration of women by another local artist, Khalid Farhan as part of International Women's Day (March 8). Bahraini musician and composer Majeed Marhoun will also be performing at the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre (March 16).
Local galleries will showcase a number of diverse events including Voices of Arab Women film screenings and the Gulf Women Art exhibition at Al Riwaq Art Gallery and La Fontaine Center for Centemporary Art is also proud to present a musical evening with the world famous ney player Suleyman Erguner.
Spring of Culture 2008 is organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board in association with the Sector of Culture and Heritage at the Ministry of Information and the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research and arts centres and galleries across Bahrain including Al Riwaq Gallery, La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art, Albareh Art Gallery and the Bahrain Arts Society.
This year, the festival is benefiting from the sponsorship of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company.
Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, assistant under-secretary at the Sector for Culture and Heritage, said: "Having Fayrouz headline is a fantastic coup for the festival and for Bahrain, but what I'm most proud of is the breadth and diversity of events at Spring of Culture 2008.
"For example, we have the renowned exhibition 'Masks - Beauty of the Spirits' at the National Museum from March 3. This exhibition, which comes direct from Paris, includes a collection of 100 ethnic masks from around the world, and is a shining example of the museum's ethos of presenting world cultures in a spirit of openness and learning. It's also a truly inclusive event for families.
"What we have also focused strongly on for the last three years is creating a festival that highlights our unique heritage through innovative use of venues and event staging. In the Historic Houses of Muharraq we are able to boast some of the region's most evocative and intimate venues. It's something we can all take great pride in."
Bahrain Economic Development Board chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa said: "Spring of Culture 2008 provides a cultural feast for everyone living and working in Bahrain, and draws visitors from across the region and beyond - boosting the economy and strengthening our kingdom's tourism season. With the additional of the Family Programme this year, we look set to provide an even stronger draw for parents and children from across the Gulf - delivering a key part of our national tourism strategy."
Mumtalakat CEO_Talal Al Zain said: "It gives us great pleasure to support the cultural event of the year for Bahrain, we look forward to all the events that promise to give the audience a definite thrill! Spring of Culture has always been a success and we are very glad to be part of that success."
Venues for Spring of Culture 2008 include Arad Fort, the National Museum, the Historic Houses of Muharraq and private galleries - showcasing the wealth of Bahrain's heritage and cultural capacity.
Tickets for concerts at Arad Fort are individually priced, and are available from Havajava in Seef Mall, and Al Osra Supermarket in Saar.
For more information, listing details, and ticket availability call the Spring of Culture Hotline on +973 399 00 630.
