Summer Festival returns

THE much-awaited Bahrain Summer Festival is set to return next month in a virtual format.

The 13th edition will see all events, workshops and performances live-streamed to a global audience – from July 1 until July 31.

Details were revealed yesterday by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) in a virtual Press conference.

“This year’s Bahrain Summer Festival will be closer to the audience than ever before despite the distance imposed by the global health crisis,” said Baca president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

“Since the crisis’ onset, we have been investing in our technical capabilities so that we may bring the cultural movement into the virtual world and stay engaged with the public, both in the kingdom of Bahrain and abroad,” Shaikha Mai said.

“In doing so, we have successfully transcended borders and reached a much wider audience.

“We take equal pride in the fact that this year’s festival will coincide with our celebration of the Pearling Path, set for completion later this year.”

The festival will kick off on July 1 with a Lebanese performance, and will include showcases from the Interior Ministry, the National Institute of Human Rights and the Supreme Council for the Environment, as well as the embassies of France, Italy, the US, China, Palestine, Russia, Egypt and the Philippines.

“This annual event continues to serve as an example of how co-operation between various parties can play a pivotal role in the advancement of the cultural movement,” Shaikha Mai said.

Alongside the month-long festival will be the Nakhool Star competition, in which children can showcase their short story writing talents, after attending workshops conducted by some of the kingdom’s emerging writers.

The winning writer will be announced on July 31, and their story will be published on the Baca website.

“Culture represents a beacon of hope for the world as it recovers from the fallout of pandemic,” added Baca director general of culture and arts Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

“With that spirit in mind, this year’s festival programme brings an exciting assortment of multicultural events and activities that will be conducted via our online and social platforms, including live performances, concerts and creative art workshops.”

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/948746/Summer-Festival-returns