SEPTEMBER
The pick of events, exhibitions and festivals happening in Gulf Air destination cities this month
LONDON
The Golden Age Of Couture
22 Sept-6 Jan 2008
The Victoria & Albert Museum’s latest exhibition takes as its focus Paris and London from 1947-1957, the decade Christian Dior called the “golden age” of fashion. www.vam.ac.uk
TEHRAN
12th Asian Women’s Chess Championship
2-12 September
This nine-round, timed tournament is organised by the Iran Chess Federation, with a total prize fund of US$10,000 to be split among the top six players, with the top three qualifying for the women’s world championship contest. www.asia-chess.com
PARIS
6th Silhouette Short Film Festival
2-9 September
When darkness falls, catch a week of free short films, projected onto a large inflatable screen in the Buttes-Chaumont park in the 19th arrondissement. www.association-silhouette.com
ATHENS
1st Athens Biennial
10 Sept-18 Nov
Held at the Technopolis development, the theme for this inaugural art event is “Destroy Athens”, which aims to encourage artists to challenge the city’s timeless stereotypes through exhibitions, film, music and print. www.athensbiennial.org
265
The total number of pieces that will have been played when the Proms, the biggest classical music festival in the world, ends in London on 8 September www.bbc.co.uk/proms
30/09
The 800th anniversary of the birth of 13th-century Persian Muslim poet and thinker Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, in Balkh, present-day Afghanistan
KARACHI
Painted Truck Caravan
20-24 September
This “Destination Pakistan 2007” event is an exhibition on wheels, going from Karachi to the Khyber Pass, of the famous vehicle artwork. www.tourism.gov.pk
DELHI
Delhi Book Fair
1-9 September
India’s big international book event highlights the country’s best new and established publications, as well as teaching aids and computer software, at the Pragati Maidan. www.indiatradefair.com
MUMBAI
Krishna Janmashtami
4 September
To celebrate Krishna’s birthday, clay pots of yoghurt are hung high above the city streets. Young men form dramatic human pyramids to reach them, while onlookers try to sabotage their attempts by spraying the climbers with water.
BANGKOK
Thailand Open
24-30 September
The Impact Arena in Bangkok is the latest stop on the annual ATP Tour for this tournament, won last year by James Blake, from the USA, and for the previous two years by the Swiss world number one Roger Federer. www.atptennis.com
Ramadan nights
Evenings come alive in the holy month
The holy month of Ramadan is a time of religious celebration and reflection for all Muslims, who fast during daylight hours and observe purity of thought and action to bring themselves closer to Allah.
While the days tend to be much quieter during Ramadan, after iftar, or sundown, the night comes alive. Locals and expats gather in Bahrain’s cafés and restaurants – which tend to stay open later for the holy month – to socialise with friends and family, and to break their fast.
Places such as the restaurant quarter in Adliya and the Seef area, with its two malls and many food outlets, bustle with activity long into the night.
Another hugely popular aspect of the holy month is the Ramadan “tent”. These are found in most prominent hotels in Bahrain – such as the Golden Tulip, the Gulf Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton – and tend to be lavish affairs in which hundreds gather to enjoy spectacular spreads food, live entertainment and shisha until the early hours of the morning.
The Bahrain International Circuit even provides a programme of entertainment for the month, holding a series of special motorsport activities in the evenings and laying on food, as well as shisha, for the spectators; for details visit www.bahraingp.com. David M Robertson
The Grand Mosque
If you wish to find out more about Ramadan, the stunning Al Fateh Grand Mosque provides a unique insight into Islam. The educational centre has a library and guides who can answer questions about the building’s architecture, Islam, and Bahrain’s history. Visitors are welcome between 9am and 4pm; conservative dress is required. Call +973 17 727 773
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