Final preparations are underway for this Friday’s Bahrain For All festival, which has released its full schedule of performances, including traditional performances from 40 expatriate communities.

Embassies, clubs, societies, and organisations taking part in the annual festival will represent the Bangladeshi, Filipino, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Kenyan, Thai, Nepalese, Jordanian, Egyptian, Pakistani, Palestinian and Baluchi communities, among others.

“We have a full schedule of programmes which includes music and dance, comedy, theatre, children’s activities and lots more,” said organiser Nivedita Dhadphale. “The embassies, clubs and societies have made a massive effort this year, some building their own stands to showcase their countries and cultures.”

“Our participants are undertaking final rehearsals. There will be a special opening ceremony at 3.30pm conducted by children from each organisation, in a parade with the Ministry of Interior protocol horses and the Public Security Band. Our success is dependent on the different communities coming together in a concerted effort to showcase their countries and highlight Bahrain’s diversity.”

The shows will start at 4pm and go on until 10pm on Friday, April 7 at Prince Khalifa Park in Hidd. They will include performances by Hamad ‘Mystro’ Al Fardan and DJ Westlife, all emceed by local comedian Ali ‘Fingerz’ Al Esbai. There will also be over 250 market stalls for visitors to enjoy, as well as raffle draws with prizes offered by Sadad payment gateway.

Many of the communities have participated in this festival since 2013. This year will include an area dedicated to the Hidd Rehabilitation Centre, Think Pink, WWIC, Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, Saudi Bahraini Institute of the Blind, Bahraini Association for Downs Syndrome and other community organisations which will sell handmade items.

One of the other highlights will be a live painting where artists from the various communities will paint sections of a sketch drawn by Bahrain-based Indian artist VR Sathyadev that tells a story about Bahrain. An artist from each community will paint a section on a canvas during the day and the pieces will be put together to reveal the final work on stage later in the day.

The festival will have its own kids’ area emceed by local personality Mai Al Khatib. Children will be treated to a visit by Bahrain’s beloved TV presenter Baba Yaseen and popular patriotic figure, Um Hassan. The kids’ area will also have an all-day raffle where the youngsters will receive toys and gifts donated by Sadad, Dragon City, and MSK Racing Team.

The Ministry of Interior will be promoting several of its directorates’ activities in relation to family and community protection. These include the roles of the Drug Control Directorate, the General Directorate of Traffic, the General Directorate of Civil Defence, Juvenile Rehabilitation, the Health and Social Affairs Directorate and the “Together” Programme.

Entertainment will be provided by the Public Security Band, police horse riders, the Police Media and Public Relation Directorates, and the Coast Guard. Also participating are the General Directorate of Muharraq Governorate Police, the Human Resources Department and the Agricultural Department at the Works Directorate.

The event is being sponsored by Manama Printers, Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort, Dragon City Bahrain, Aqua Cool, MSK Racing, SADAD, and Hussain Mohammed Showaiter Sweets, as well as media partners Gulf Media International (GMI), Foursquare, Al Wasat, Gulf Daily News (GDN), Bahrain This Week (BTW), Gulf Weekly, 4PM News WafiApps, and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC). - TradeArabia News Service