A 1,001-seat amphitheatre, the third biggest amphitheatre in the Arab world after Cairo Opera House and Al Sultania Opera in Oman, is set to open tomorrow in Bahrain.

His Majesty King Hamad will tomorrow patronise the opening of Bahrain's National Amphitheatre, said a report in our sister publication the Gulf Daily News.

Inauguration of the milestone crowns a "month of theatre", celebrated as part of events marking Manama being named Capital of Arab Culture.

Diplomats, leading international cultural personalities, businessmen and journalists will attend. The ceremony will feature art and theatrical shows at the state-of-the-art amphitheatre, located north of the Bahrain National Museum lake.

"It is really a dream come true," Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said, stressing the importance of the amphitheatre as a beacon of culture, civilisation and creative ideas.

She paid tribute to His Majesty for his support and hailed the Works Ministry's contribution to the project.

"The figure 1,001 is highly symbolic, as it epitomises the legendary One Thousand and One Nights," Shaikha Mai added.

The edifice, which covers 11,869 sq m, includes an auditorium capable of accommodating 100 people for training programmes, small ceremonies and workshops. It has a parking space for 290 cars, apart from the museum parking lots.

Renowned typographer, graphic designer, researcher and writer Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares designed the logo. – TradeArabia News Service