MANAMA, 19 February 2006 — Bahrain is to host a month-long cultural festival to create improved understanding between world cultures and boost tourism, officials said yesterday.
The “Spring of Culture” will run from March 1 until March 29 and will feature plays, lectures, musicals, poetry recitals, and exhibitions by artists and intellectuals from Bahrain, France, Lebanon, Turkey, Spain and the United States.
The festival will coincide with the March 12 Bahrain Formula 1 season opener race.
“In this ever-changing world that is continuously affected by political events, culture remains the sole international language for dialogue to help us find a common ground between nations and civilizations,” Sheikha Mai bint Muhammad Al-Khalifa, the assistant undersecretary for culture and national heritage, told reporters.
Sheikha Mai expressed hope that the event will become an annual event dedicated to cultural dialogue.
