Sowing seeds for greener Bahrain
People still have time to visit the spectacular Third Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS), which concludes today.Thousands of people of all ages have visited the colourful and educational exhibition, which is being held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
It is supported Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty and chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women, who opened the show on Wednesday.
BIGS features more than 60 local and international exhibitors, educational activities, floral demonstrations and informative lectures, as well as the Bahrain Garden Club’s (BGC) 41st Annual Amateur Flower and Vegetable Show.
The most prestigious agricultural and gardening event of the year aims to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote a greener, cleaner and pollution-free environment for the region.
BIGS steering committee head Shaikha Maysa bint Abdulrahman Al Khalifa said she was extremely pleased with the amount of interest the exhibition had received locally and internationally.
“It’s truly amazing and I did not expect the number of visitors we’ve had and we’ve had people from all over the world,” Shaikha Maysa told the GDN yesterday.
“We had a Swiss couple that we met when we went to Giardina in Switzerland who decided to come for their holiday here to watch the flower parade and visit the exhibition.
“They came just for the occasion and said they had taken lots of photos and were planning to come next year with friends.”
Shaikha Maysa said the feedback from visitors had been excellent and they had also offered useful suggestions for next year’s show.
“People have been telling us to do more about science, the comments have been amazing and given us some ideas for next year,” she said.
“There have been so many comments on how to improve on the science competition and the timings of when people can visit.
“Next year we will probably go back to opening on a Thursday so that schools can visit on Saturday and Sunday.
“The show has done so well and it can only get better.”
BIGS showcases 62 exhibitors from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, Sudan, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Australia and Malaysia.
It also has a variety of comprehensive and educational lectures and workshops open to the public.
Yesterday’s talk on Theoretical and Application of Organic Agriculture was presented by Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry horticulturist Dr Mohammed Othman at the Al Nakhlah Hall, BIEC.
The final talk will be presented by agricultural engineer Zeeba Al Ameer on Growing Vegetables in Bahrain at 5pm today at the same venue.
The talks are free and all are welcome.
A tour and lecture for those with hearing impairments will be held at 9.30am today.
For pre-registered participants, a workshop on landscaping, cut flowers, ornamental plants and green cover will be conducted by Dr Mahmood Hasheem at the BIEC’s Al Fanar Hall.
The show is open to the public today from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm.
Entrance is 500 fils, but free to children aged 10 and under. BIGS is managed by Bahrain Horizons (Events and Public Relations Communications), Manama. For more information about BIGS, visit http://www.bigs.com.bh.
GDN :: Rebecca Torr :: 8 Apr ’06