Bahrain's premier annual garden show bloomed into life yesterday after a private opening ceremony at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Now in its sixth year, the Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS) is being staged under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad, patron of the Bahrain Garden Club, and supported by his wife and chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

This year's show is themed around Water for Life and will include a vast range of related exhibits including flowers, garden accessories and furniture lifestyle products.

In addition, the flagship Water for Life stand will highlight the history of water resources in Bahrain as well as documenting age-old and newer irrigation techniques in a garden setting.

Shaikha Sabeeka officially opened the 2009 event and presented awards to sponsors and top prize winners from this year's competitions.

These included Shaikha Sabeeka's own prize for pottery as well as winners from the Bahrain Garden Club Flower and Vegetable Competition, Ministry of Education Competitions and the Riffa Views Eden Challenge.

The show's organising committee head Shaikha Maram bint Isa bin Ahmad Al Khalifa expressed her delight at the success of the show over the past six years and stressed the importance of environmental awareness in the Bahrain.

"It has been six years since the RVBIGS was first launched with a vision to praise agriculture and spread a culture of respect for one's environment," she said in her opening speech.

"We have successfully revived interest in protecting the environment and hope this wave of enthusiasm will continue to great effect.

"Once again this year we aim to contribute more towards the flora in our Kingdom and continue to support agricultural advancement.

Shaikha Maram also explained the significance of water as the centrepiece of this year's show adding that she hoped visitors would gain an increased sense of awareness for the environment around them.

"Water (as) an element that brings existence to all living beings has been chosen as the main theme for this year," she explained.

"This comes in compliance with the UN General Assembly's 2015 vision to highlight the importance of our water resources and spread the awareness of preserving water and preventing its misuse.

"We hope that through the various lectures and events, the RVBIGS will be able to attain its vision of promoting the preservation of both agriculture and the environment as a whole".

Municipalities and Agriculture Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi also spoke at the opening.

Seventy local and international exhibitors will participate in this year's show; with the UK, Thailand, UAE, South Africa, Spain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia as well as Bahrain all represented in some way.

A farmer's market will also be featured for the first time as part of the 14,000sq m of luscious flora, which will highlight 12 traditional Bahraini farmers and traders with a small amount of local produce including date syrup, honey, coffee, tea and milk on sale.

In addition, the four winning schools of the Riffa Views Eden Challenge will be able to see their ideas on water management and conservation realised as part of the Riffa Views Eden Challenge stand at the show.

The winning schools are Amena Bint Wahab Primary Girls School, Um Al Qoora Primary Intermediate Girls School, Al Qayrawan Intermediate Girls School and Khawla Secondary Girls School.

The winning school will be announced at noon tomorrow at the Riffa Views Eden Challenge stand with the victors netting a cash award of BD3,000 as well as a trophy whilst the winning stand will receive $10,000 (BD3,780).

Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Prize for Pottery committee member Najah Saeed Al Madani explained tha