The Spring of Culture, an annual festival which commences in February each year, has announced the cultural program of its 13th edition, offering the Kingdom of Bahrain’s audience a variety of choices from all over the world and activating the local cultural landscape over the festival’s two months.
The announcement was made in a press conference held at the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Shaikh Ebrahim bim Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, in collaboration with Albareh Art Gallery and La Fontaine Art Centre of Contemporary Art at the Bahrain Fort Site Museum. The event, which also marked the museum’s 10th anniversary, is part of BACA’s year-long celebration of Muharraq’s selection as the 2018 Capital of Islamic Culture.
The conference was held in the presence of Her Excellency Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of BACA, His Excellency Khalid Al-Rumaihi, CE of EDB, and a number of diplomats and ambassadors in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as a number of sponsors of the Spring of Culture and members of the media.
In her address, Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said, “We chose to launch the 13th edition of the Spring of Culture Festival at the very first project that came as a result of our ‘Investment in Culture’ initiative. We are very grateful to Arcapita Bank for supporting the establishment of the Bahrain Fort Site Museum believing in the importance of preserving our history.”
She added: “The Kingdom of Bahrain has been building bridges with the world through the festival for 13 spring seasons, supported by all our partners. From this museum in its 10th anniversary, we announce this cultural season as part of our celebration of the city Muharraq, Capital of Islamic Culture 2018. The Pearling Trail in Muharraq has much in common with the Bahrain Fort Site in Manama, as the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites reflect the history and civilizations of ancient and modern Bahrain and affirm Bahrainis’ ability to always be positive contributors,” she added.
“All of society comes together each year during the spring season for the sake of our Kingdom and our cultural movement,” she concluded.
Gold Sponsors of this year’s festival are: Batelco, National Bank of Bahrain, GFH Financial Group, and Tamkeen while Silver Sponsors include Alba, Bahrain Airport Company, Bahrain Duty Free, Bapco, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Gulf Air, and Huawei.
The various events and activities are designed to engage all segments of society, from arts and crafts exhibitions to intellectual lectures and talks, poetry readings, music and song concerts and theatrical performances.