Bahrain’s popular arts group, Elham, is set to launch it’s biggest event since it’s establishment three years ago with an exciting 4-day arts and cultural festival featuring a wide range of activities and events.

With the slogan of “Art to the People”, the group aims to provide a creative and artistic environment that will showcase local talent and expose Bahrain based art to the public. From poetry, to music and from film to art, the festival will promote cultural dialogue and artistic expression.

The festival, to be held between May 13 and 16, is organized in collaboration with the Qal’at Al-Bahrain Museum, which was officially opened last year and coincides with the International Museums Day on May 18, a day celebrated every year by the International Council of Museums.

Qal’at Al-Bahrain Museum will be transformed into an art hub for the four days, hosting a variety of events such as workshops, performances and screenings, and will be open to the general public.

“We are excited about this event which we believe is the perfect way to conclude our third season. It embodies the spirit of Elham and celebrates the creative diversity that we in Bahrain are privileged to enjoy,” said Elham founder and co- organiser of the festival Ali Al Saeed.
Ali Al Saeed, an award winning author with three books under his belt, will himself be one of the participants in the festival, joining a group of established and promising artists from Bahrain. Others include Bahraini folk singer/song-writer Ala Ghawas, Bahraini conceptual artist Mariam Haji, and Bahraini digital artist Fawaz AlOlaiwat.

Irish artist Keith Winters and American artist Steve Mykietyn will conduct a performance and installation art project and workshop titled “Speed Towerz”.

The festival will commence with the opening of a group art exhibition on May 13th at the Arts Center from 7pm. On Thursday, May 14th, visitors will enjoy a poetry recital accompanied by an oud and acoustic music set followed on Friday, May 15th, by a music concert featuring local musicians at the Cultural Hall (has this been confirmed?) from 8pm. A talk on documentary photography by Lebanese artist and photographer Camille Zakharia will be held on the same day (May 15th) from 10am to 1pm.

“Such initiatives cannot succeed without the support and participation of the public. We hope that people will not only enjoy the art being showcased but also be inspired to create their own,” added Al Saeed, “

For more information please visit www.elhambahrain.net , email elhambahrain@yahoo.com or call (973) 3662 1223.

Elham, in collaboration with Aldar Islands, brings you an evening of photography, art, video and verse inspired by nature!

The outcome of a unique creative trip to the sea, sponsored by Aldar Islands, in which a group of Elham members island-hopped, will be presented in this special evening. Participants include Khalid Khazal, Carla Sailba, Fardan Raffii, Anish Verghese, Nader, Ameeruddin, Nayla Fokeladeh and Fatima Al Saad and many more!!!

This is a prelude to a day out on Aldar Island for Elham members on March 28 on the island itself in which members will be able to dolphin watch, enjoy the sceneary, and go island hopping - to create your own “artistic” beach experience!

Creative Arts Group Elham Presents:

A Magical Journey of Words and Music

at the 17th Monthly Gathering in February

Many believe that art is all about our ability to translate and express our life encounters, interactions, and affections creating; possibly without knowing, a sensational journey of unique undefined pleasure. Elham, the creative art group, comes back in February to present it’s 17th monthly gathering with yet another magical evening of artistic discovery. The gathering takes place on February 24th the venue yet to be unlocked will feature four astonishing artists who skillfully are able to translate their passions through their art. Spellbinding words and enchanting music.

The event will feature the brilliant award wining Bahraini author, Ali Al Saeed, who will unveil a poetry recital from his latest book “Sad Man Dancing”. The 30 year old writer started his profession in 1998 as a

 journalist and has published his fictions in various magazines and journals. He is known for his captivating style that moves the reader into his fascinating world. He was the first Bahraini to write and publish a novel written in the English language. The novel QuixotiQ became a National best selling novel .In 2004 Ali was the recipient of the Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award.His book ‘Moments’ published in 2

006 is a collection of short stories, a powerful reflection of daily life with a light and almost dream-like touch. Ali’s talents extend beyond writing into expressive photography and filmmaking always reflecting an aspe

ct of his soul, mind and sometimes heart. Ali is one of the founding members of Elham created from his passion for a Life of Art and Creativity for all.

Another book will be featured in the event presented by the Bahraini artist Khalid Al Rowaie, who will talk about his new book “Tranquility…Nothing Else”. “Tranquility is like a whisper, it’s something short, where there is no screaming.” The book, which is the author’s third release, astonishingly combines poetry and photographic captures to present various human emotions over unique levels. The book is a reflection of how Khalid experiences life; how he thinks women experience the world; his view of life in the future and how he feels about his family. The poems originally written in Arabic have been translated into English by Ghada Abualfath. His first book ‘Lessons of Light’ was published in 2002 followed in 2004 by ‘The Body Text of the Internet . Khalid Al Rowaie, who is also Al-Sawari ’s Theater Director, illustrates feelings between people and the world expressed through powerful photos and words created over the past four years. The artist has participated in many plays, movies and international art festivals winning an admirable list of awards.

The musical element of the evening will be presented or rather played out of the classical melodies by Dina Khalil’s violin. Dina, who is currently studying architecture in the University of Bahrain, has been playing the violin for four years but her passion for music started long before that, “Music means everything to me, and since I was a kid I have been dreaming of playing Violin, as I find it a very great passionate instrument” says Dina. The 19 year old violinist has performed in many concerts and events around the island challenging herself to excellence .“Although I find Violin a difficult instrument to be learned, I enjoy every minute of playing it, and am still dreaming of becoming a great musician in the future to touch everybody’s heart.”

Finally, the evening will feature the remarkable Bahraini folk singer and song writer Ala Ghawas, who will perform songs from his latest album ‘’Whispers”. Ala’s interest in music started at an early age, playing the accordion and keyboards at school progressing to the piano and acoustic guitar during his teens. Ala is musically influenced by Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan. While studying at Boston as a Fulbright scholar Ala released his first serious recording project in 2007 entitled “Hums”. Ala magically blends sounds and lyrics with his warm voice creating tremendous moving emotions, reflecting his deep life experiences. “Whispers”, released on December 2008, comes to present another phase of a brilliant artist.

In order to create, ones need faith, strength, energy, empathy, and imagination. Our four artists have proven to be competent in them all. It’s not just an evening of art, but it’s an evening of four different lives and stories fused with enormous creativity. It’s an event not to be missed by anyone who cherishes art or lives to create. The evening takes place at 7pm 

Many believe that art is all about our ability to translate and express our life encounters, interactions, and affections creating; possibly without knowing, a sensational journey of unique undefined pleasure. Elham, the creative art group, comes back in February to present it’s 17th monthly gathering with yet another magical evening of artistic discovery. The gathering takes place on February 24th the venue yet to be unlocked will feature four astonishing artists who skillfully are able to translate their passions through their art. Spellbinding words and enchanting music. 

The event will feature the brilliant award wining Bahraini author, Ali Al Saeed, who will unveil a poetry recital from his latest book “Sad Man Dancing”. The 30 year old writer started his profession in 1998 as a journalist and has published his fictions in various magazines and journals. He is known for his captivating style that moves the reader into his fascinating world. He was the first Bahraini to write and publish a novel written in the English language. The novel QuixotiQ became a National best selling novel .In 2004 Ali was the recipient of the Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award.His book ‘Moments’ published in 2006 is a collection of short stories, a powerful reflection of daily life with a light and almost dream-like touch. Ali’s talents extend beyond writing into expressive photography and filmmaking always reflecting an aspect of his soul, mind and sometimes heart. Ali is one of the founding members of Elham created from his passion for a Life of Art and Creativity for all.

Another book will be featured in the event presented by the Bahraini artist Khalid Al Rowaie, who will talk about his new book “Tranquility…Nothing Else”. “Tranquility is like a whisper, it’s something short, where there is no screaming.” The book, which is the author’s third release, astonishingly combines poetry and photographic captures to present various human emotions over unique levels. The book is a reflection of how Khalid experiences life; how he thinks women experience the world; his view of life in the future and how he feels about his family. The poems originally written in Arabic have been translated into English by Ghada Abualfath. His first book ‘Lessons of Light’ was published in 2002 followed in 2004 by ‘The Body Text of the Internet . Khalid Al Rowaie, who is also Al-Sawari ’s Theater Director, illustrates feelings between people and the world expressed through powerful photos and words created over the past four years. The artist has participated in many plays, movies and international art festivals winning an admirable list of awards. 

The musical element of the evening will be presented or rather played out of the classical melodies by Dina Khalil’s violin. Dina, who is currently studying architecture in the University of Bahrain, has been playing the violin for four years but her passion for music started long before that, “Music means everything to me, and since I was a kid I have been dreaming of playing Violin, as I find it a very great passionate instrument” says Dina. The 19 year old violinist has performed in many concerts and events around the island challenging herself to excellence .“Although I find Violin a difficult instrument to be learned, I enjoy every minute of playing it, and am still dreaming of becoming a great musician in the future to touch everybody’s heart.”

Finally, the evening will feature the remarkable Bahraini folk singer and song writer Ala Ghawas, who will perform songs from his latest album ‘’Whispers”. Ala’s interest in music started at an early age, playing the accordion and keyboards at school progressing to the piano and acoustic guitar during his teens. Ala is musically influenced by Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan. While studying at Boston as a Fulbright scholar Ala released his first serious recording project in 2007 entitled “Hums”. Ala magically blends sounds and lyrics with his warm voice creating tremendous moving emotions, reflecting his deep life experiences. “Whispers”, released on December 2008, comes to present another phase of a brilliant artist.

In order to create, ones need faith, strength, energy, empathy, and imagination. Our four artists have proven to be competent in them all. It’s not just an evening of art, but it’s an evening of four different lives and stories fused with enormous creativity. It’s an event not to be missed by anyone who cherishes art or lives to create. The evening takes place at 7pm on February 24th.

In November, Elham is taking advantage of the balmy weather and moving outside for live music and short movies under the stars in Albareh’s courtyard. On the menu: a performance by talented Omani oud player and singer Mohammed Juma Al-Amri, followed by a screening of several short movies. These include ‘The Body’, a humorous whodunnit made in London by Bahraini director Saleh Nass,‘Shanthi’, a beautifully shot documentary film, by Indian filmmaker Anish Verghese, about a nine-year-old boy on a road trip to the Himalayas and ‘Absence’, a poignant movie about loneliness by Bahraini filmmaker Mohammed Buali, which has won several awards. Add popcorn and it’s set to be another delicious serving of art and entertainment.

Hakim Ghazali has achieved international acclaim for his large-scale textured paintings, often integrating calligraphy, so an exhibition by the Moroccan artists is always something to look forward to, but this one is even more hotly anticipated because, for the first time ever, he has adopted a totally new medium. Instead of canvas, he has applied his brush to old Moroccan doors, producing 10 totally original sculptural artworks that encapsulate history and heritage as an added dimension. Not to be missed.

Last year’s photographers’ day out was a big success. Nine photographers took part in the half-day event which covered Manama and Muharraq. The results from that outing were then published in an issue of Ohlala! Arabia magazine. Now, the popular event returns for the second term and this time it will be bigger and better. We will cover more areas and have a more specific agenda for the participating photographers, who will be once again led by two established and professional photographers.

Prolific Bahraini photographer Ali Al Riffai and French photographer Simon Chauvin. Details of the full program for the day are being finalized now and will be announced soon. This is a heads up though for those interested out there. As slots will be limited, you are advised to register in advance. Email us on elhambahrain@yahoo.com with the subject line “Photographer’s day out”.

*Registration fee BD10

Our next monthly gathering will be hosted by Cocoon Lounge, one of Bahrain’s most contemporary night spots. The lounge, known for its modern, cool interior design and ambience, will bring together three new talents to showcase their work; a musician, a poet and a photographer.

The event will be held on October 28th. Details will be published in next month’s newsletter.