Rehearsals begin for upcoming ‘Bahrain For All’ festival

Manama : Rehearsals are in full swing by community organisations performing in the ‘Bahrain For All’ 2018 festival, which will be held on 30th March at Prince Khalifa bin Salman Park in Hidd. More than 55,000 people are expected to attend the event, with more than 45 embassies, clubs and organisations participating. These will include stage performances by Bahraini, Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Balochi, Jordanian, Sudanese, Filipino, Ethiopian, Thai, Indonesian, Bangladeshi, and Egyptian artists, among others. The Chinese community, a group of artists from Kerala, and the UCO Parents centre from HIdd are performing for the first time this year. 

DJ Outlaw and Flipperachie will also perform, with DJ Westside and comedian Waddah Swar emceeing the event. Special needs children from RIA Institute and Hidd Rehabilitation Centre will also put on a special show at the Bin Faqeeh children’s play area which includes face and henna painting, Arabic calligraphy, sports and a caricature artist, among other activities.

Tamkeen and the Arab International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Investment (AICEI) are the strategic partners of the 6th edition of the festival, which focuses on bridging gaps between Bahrain’s communities. This year the emphasis is also on supporting local entrepreneurs, with over 250 market stalls dedicated to businesses, including 30 members of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development’s Productive Families programme.

Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) Culture and Arts Director Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said: “We are gearing up for a very exciting festival this year. Bahrain For All is a celebration of the country’s different communities. It reflects the true essence of our society, bringing people together every year through art and music. Diversity is a blessing for any healthy, modern and open community.”

She added: “There is an overwhelming sense of patriotic pride among all the participating communities and their performers, even in the rehearsal stage. We are looking forward to seeing them display their amazing talents at the show, and hope that everyone can join us in this celebration of our Kingdom and the diversity it embraces.”

‘Bahrain For All’ was first held in 2013, with coordination and support from the Court of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, receiving more than 50,000 visitors. Children with special needs, women’s groups, and senior citizens’ societies are invited every year to promote the festival’s message of unity. This year’s event’s event has the support of the Ministry of the Interior, the Muharraq Governorate and the Muharraq Municipality and Municipal Council.  New sponsors include National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) and Oasis Mall. Previously announced sponsors are Manama Printing Press, BAPCO, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Company (GPIC), Bin Faqeeh, Dragon City, Aqua Cool, Mohammed Showaiter Sweets, Aquacool.