- Title: BAHRAIN: Bahrain opens one of Middle East's largest theatres
- Date: 13th November 2012
- Summary: BAHRAIN'S KING HAMAD AND ALWALEED BIN TALAL WALKING TO THE THEATRE VARIOUS OF GUESTS BAHRAINI MINISTER OF CULTURE, SHEIKHA MAI BINT MOHAMMED AL-KHALIFA, (IN YELLOW DRESS) STANDING WITH PRINCE ALWALEED BIN TALAL AND HIS WIFE WIFE OF SAUDI PRINCE ALWALEED BIN TALAL (IN BLACK DRESS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BAHRAINI MINISTER OF CULTURE, SHEIKHA MAI BINT MOHAMMED AL-KHALIFA, SAYI
- Embargoed: 28th November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Bahrain
- Country: Bahrain
- Topics: Arts
- Reuters ID: LVA6DI3KVA0BY96KCEL68WB1LTI2
- Story Text: Bahrain's King Hamad al-Khalifa attends the inauguration ceremony of his country's new national theatre; Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is among the guests.
Bahrain has borrowed a theme from Arabia's 1001 Nights, launching one of the largest theatres in the Middle East as part of a drive to overcome months of unrest that have rocked the Gulf Arab state.
The small U.S.-allied kingdom has put down an uprising by majority Shi'ite Muslims demanding a bigger say in government, but protests continue to erupt from time to time, highlighting lingering discontent despite reforms that included giving its elected parliament more powers.
Bahrain's King Hamad opened the $50 million Bahrain National Theatre on Monday (November 12) night, throwing open the gates of the 1001-seat gallery to dignitaries from across the Arab World, ahead of a busy season scheduled to include performances by Russia's Bolshoi Theatre and opera tenor Placido Domingo.
The seaside theatre, featuring a cubical glass structure with a golden-colour roof, was the latest attempt by the small oil producer to restore normalcy to the country.
"This theatre adds a great deal, through cultural activities that bring people together, and it embodies the dreams of every citizen. We can use this to mend the hearts and reach with our thoughts and view everybody and make it a breathing space for all those who love Bahrain," Bahraini Culture Minister, Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed al-Khalifa, told Reuters.
In April, the kingdom where the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet is based hosted guests from around the world as it staged the Bahrain Grand Prix, signaling its drive to emerge from the protests that had forced the cancellation of the event a year earlier.
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands located between Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, and gas-rich Qatar.
Before the United Arab Emirates began attracting foreign investors in the 1990s, Bahrain served as a regional tourism, information and banking hub.
Much of the international media covering the Gulf region were based in Bahrain, where some 600,000 people live.
Bahraini officials say they want to regain the edge that once made the country attractive to foreign investors.
Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is reported to be planning to launch his satellite news channel, Alarab, from Bahrain.
The prince, who walked side-by-side with King Hamad as the monarch inspected the spacious seaside-grounds, is also reported to be planning to shift some of his media and cultural investments from Dubai to Bahrain.
Bahrain's Minister of State for Information, Samira Rajab, said Bahrain was determined to find a way out of the crisis.
"What is required today is for all the parties with sectarian differences to sit down and reach understandings, what is agreed upon is what will be implemented, not one side's wishes against the others."
Decked with all the amenities of a modern cultural centre needed to attract world events, including a 100-seat rehearsal hall, Bahrain's 11,669 square meter theatre was the latest cultural outfit to open in the conservative Gulf region.
Last year, Oman opened the first Opera house in the Gulf region in a move that also signalled a drive to push ahead with cultural activities despite protests over lack of employment and perceived corruption that briefly rocked the country.
The Gulf's tourism and trading hub, Dubai has also unveiled plans to build its own Opera house. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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