Bahraini.TV

Celebrations begin

by mahmood on 16/12/09 at 11:04 am · email  · print  

The iconic Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC) will act as the backdrop for a pioneering multimedia projection show being held to mark Bahrain’s National Day tomorrow.

The twin towers, located directly behind the performance venue on the King Faisal Highway corniche, will form the canvas for a series of events and shows using technology never seen before in Bahrain, including a multimedia show and several dance performances spread across nine stages.

The event will also mark the 10th anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad’s accession to the throne and will be held under his patronage.

It has been organised by the Culture and Information Ministry in co-ordination with the BWTC’s managing and leasing agents DTZ.

The show will take place from 7pm on Thursday and entry is by invitation only.

A nine-stage extravaganza of performing arts will showcase an array of professional dancers from Egypt, Syria and Bahrain, who will stage presentations depicting the history of Bahrain.

These will reflect the country’s history since the Sumerian civilisation through the Assyrian, Babylonian, Dilmun, Hellenistic, pre-Islam and the Islamic era in addition to the periods of the Persian and Portuguese occupation.

“It is only fitting that BWTC should act as a canvas and backdrop for His Majesty’s 10th anniversary celebrations, being an iconic landmark of the Kingdom,” said DTZ director Bob Addison.

“The public will see pictures and moving images projected directly onto the building’s frontage and the international light projection talent employed in this show will make sure it is in a way they have never seen before.

“Additional lighting will also be used to highlight the turbine bridges, providing the crowd with a spectacular view of the turbines as they rotate during the show.

“BWTC is proud to be the first in Bahrain to benefit from such unique equipment, of which there are only 15 to 20 in the world.”

Egyptian Modern Dance Company artistic director Waleed Awny will oversee the show.

The Lebanese national has been responsible for several acclaimed performances throughout the region.

Meanwhile, Italian projection artist Fernando Toma will be the show’s producer.

He will use moving image projections to change perceptions of spaces and building facades.

Mr Toma’s previous accolades have included performances at the Cairo Opera House, the opening of Arag Tower, Dusseldorf, Germany, and the Cairo International Stadium.

“We felt that to celebrate this occasion, something truly spectacular should be done and therefore, the technology used in the show has been specially imported from Italy and is pioneering in the Kingdom,” said Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Experienced and skilled contractors and subcontractors CAD World and Nass Works are responsible for project managing the erection of the stage, lighting and landscaping.