Stage set in Bahrain for 18th edition of Spring of Culture Festival starting on February 11

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Preparations are underway for this year’s 18th edition of Spring of Culture Festival. The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, Al Dana Amphitheatre, in collaboration with Al Riwaq Art Space, Albareh Art Gallery, Art Concept, and La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art, announced the festival’s events during a press conference held at the Bahrain National Theater on Wednesday.

The event commences on February 11 with an exceptional concert at the Bahrain National Theater celebrating Bahraini Fan Al Sawt, presented by the esteemed artist Ahmed Al Jumairi alongside the Bahrain Music Band led by Maestro Zeyad Zaiman.

The National Theater stage will witness a series of performances during the festival, featuring the Bahraini Maestro Waheed Al Khan presenting the concert “Back to Life,” revealing some of his works showcased for the first time in the Kingdom.

The artist Dr. Abadi Al-Johar, known as the “Oud Octopus,” will celebrate the instrument he is famous for in Arab and global circles in a night where the strings of the oud speak to the hearts of the audience. Additionally, the renowned artists Khalid Al Shaikh and Huda Abdulla will revive the evening with “Ghanawi Al-Shouq,” taking the audience on a journey transcending the boundaries of time and memory.

Stage performances

As for the Al Dana Amphitheatre, it presents a series of not-to-be-missed performances on the stage of the Bahrain National Theater. The theater stage hosts a theatrical work in English that blends theater and music, recounting the story of the “Star of the Orient,” Umm Kulthum, and takes us through the ballet “A Thousand Tales” on a journey through childhood, invoking beloved characters from Aladdin to Cinderella.

Meanwhile, Al Dana Amphitheatre stage hosts a variety of international shows, including a concert by Maroon 5, a performance by the maestro and violinist André Rieu with the Johann Strauss Orchestra, and a show featuring comedy icons Trevor Noah and Kevin Hart.

The Cultural Hall will be a key venue during the Spring Festival, hosting numerous performances. It starts with the “Rouh Al Sharq Choir” from Egypt, presenting a collection of classical and contemporary songs, and also featuring the artist Leen Al Faqih, renowned for her expressive songs reflecting the spirit of the nation and identity.

From Poland, the hall hosts the accordion duo known as “Face2Face,” recipients of over 60 awards from various international competitions.

Conference

The conference was attended by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), along with several ambassadors, partners, festival supporters, and media representatives.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah said: “The tradition continues with the 18th edition of the Spring of Culture Festival this year, 2024. The festival continues to enrich the cultural scene in Bahrain as one of the prominent cultural seasons in the Kingdom.” He added, “The Spring of Culture is more than just cultural activities; it provides spaces for human interaction and an opportunity to strengthen communication bridges between our civilization and civilizations around the world.”

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah praised the ongoing constructive collaboration with all cultural institutions and centers to enrich the festival’s content, once again thanking all the supporters and contributors, including embassies. He emphasized that the success of the Spring of Culture Festival is attributed to the spirit of collective work among all cultural enthusiasts in Bahrain.

The 18th edition of the Spring of Culture Festival has strategic sponsorship from the Economic Development Board, with golden sponsorship from Tamkeen and silver sponsorship from Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, and National Bank of Bahrain. Additionally, several embassies in Bahrain contribute to the festival’s program, including the embassies of Japan, Italy, France, and the United States of America.