February 2018

The power of any cultural initiative can be measured by the consistency and strength of its programming. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, The Spring of Culture Festival marks the peak of our cultural agenda.  In 2013, Manama was celebrated as Capital of Arab Tourism, in that year the cultural institution launched an important date, 25th February, marking the birth of the Arab traveler Ibn Battuta. This date was launched to announce The Arab Tourism Day, and since then it has been a date that brings along music and culture from different parts of the world. 

The opening to the Spring Festival always had a strong note of our culture and heritage. This year we marked the opening of the spring with “The Epic Gilgamesh”, the most celebrated legend from Ancient Mesopotamia that flourished for more than a millennium in Babylonia and Assyria transmitted throughout the Middle East. Written and composed by Abed Azrié, the show is a story of a friendship which, born out of rivalry. In this concert elements of traditional music was infused into the classical tunes.  

Mohammed bin Faris, our local celebrated band was able to join and create another layer of musical depth, and to the amazement of the audiences, when in the legend, Gilgamesh finds “The Flower of Eternity” men stood up to dance adding the WOW  factor to the performance. 

I believe one of the most important goals in particular case was to expose our traditional musicians to the classical world, and allow them to learn and experience working within a classical setting under the guidance of a renowned musician like Abed Azrie.

We are welcoming the spring with this diverse festival, which brings together so many institutions like BACA, EDB, Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture & Research, local galleries & creative hubs in the country offering a wide selection of cultural events. Music, art, workshops, and talks all come together allowing locals and visitors to learn and be entertained. 

“Spring of Culture” in its 13th edition has now become a celebrated annual festival enriching our beautiful country’s cultural agenda. This year notes of the east and the heritage of Islamic culture is a reoccurring topic within the festival, especially with events hosted by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. 

There was a conscious decision to stay within the theme of reflecting “Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture – 2018”.  Sufi dervishes, Arab poetry with melodies of Karima Skalli a renowned Moroccan artist, coming together in an artist declaration that affirms the link between the two nations and playing the main role in an ongoing cultural exchange. 

Palestine has a very strong presence in our program, as Jerusalem is the Permeant Capital of Islamic Culture.  Arab Music Ensemble presents a selection of patriotic and classical songs that embody the beauty of Arab Cultural & Heritage. Also, a one women theater play, underlining the topic “Diaspora”, and the right to return. Raeda Taha will be performing her unique play 36 Abbas Street - Haifa to our audiences. Both these events will take place at the Cultural Hall.

I am particularly looking forward to an upcoming exhibition at the Art Center that holds Palestine at its heart, celebrating the legacy left behind by Naji Al Ali, presenting topics on Palestine occupation in a series of cartoons that were produced since his early career and until his assassination in 1987.  This exhibition will be a piece of a historical overview of the region, through pen and words only, Al Ali managed to stay alive in the hearts of the people in the world.