MAY
The pick of events, exhibitions and festivals happening in Gulf Air destination cities this month
PARIS
Cosmomania
Until 25 May
The Cité des Sciences examines 50 years of space exploration since Sputnik first orbited the Earth, with perspectives from the former Soviet Union, the USA, Europe and China. www.cite-sciences.fr
THENS
Art Athina
23-25 May
This exhibition at the Helexpo Palace promotes local and international contemporary art galleries.
www.art-athina.gr
LONDON
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
20-24 May
The great and good gather at Chelsea’s Royal Hospital for Britain’s best-known gardening event, a showcase for the latest outdoor trends – including many dramatic displays – new gardening products and, of course, the chance to be seen. www.rhs.org.uk
FRANKFURT
Forest Day
10-13 May
Wäldchestag (forest day) is unique to Frankfurt, and one of the region’s biggest holidays; for this folk festival, families head out of the centre into the nearby Niederrad forest to celebrate nature with activities and traditional entertainment. www.frankfurt-tourismus.de
ISTANBUL
F1 Turkish Grand Prix
9-11 May
The fifth race of the 2008 Formula One season lands at the challenging Istanbul Park track. Last year’s race was won by pole-sitter Felipe Massa for Ferrari. www.formula1-istanbul.com
MANILA
Flores de Mayo
1-31 May
Young women scatter ylang ylang, hibiscus and sampaguitas flowers around the city during this month-long festival, which serves as a rite of passage for Filipino youths, and was introduced by Spanish conquerors more than 100 years ago.
DUBAI
Arabian Travel Market
6-9 May
This travel and tourism exhibition for the Middle East and Pan-Arab region attracts people from more than 100 countries to the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. www.arabiantravelmarket.com
DHAKA
Rabindra and Nazrul Jayanti
7 & 25 May
Bangladesh celebrates the anniversaries of the births of its two most famous writers: Rabindranath Tagore (winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913), who penned the lyrics to Bangladesh’s national anthem, and poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
BAH 05 08
What’s happening in the Kingdom of Bahrain this month
MOTORSPORT
LIFE’S A DRAG
8-9 & 22-23 May
The Bahrain Drag Racing Club’s 2007-2008 season is well under way, with two rounds taking place in May. The fourth round is on 8-9 May, and the fifth is on 22-23 May, and both events promise roaring action from the fastest vehicles on the island. These include anything from an amateur’s modified Honda Civic to fully customised Corvettes, Camaros and Chargers. The BDRC’s last meet of the season takes place on 5 and 6 June, after which it makes way for the blistering summer weather that creates unsuitable conditions for such engines. So, you only have three more chances to catch these awesome machines in action!
+973 1745 0000
CINEMA
Le cinéma français
28 May-9 June
The Seef 2 multiplex may be best known for its blockbusters, but for two weeks it’s offering a taste of French cinema. The French Film Festival, organised by the Alliance Française, offers a chance to see some acclaimed movies, with Arabic subtitles.
The line-up includes Je Ne Suis Pas Là Pour Etre Aimé (Not Here To Be Loved), Ma Vie En L’air (My Life In The Air), Changement D’adresse (Change Of Address) and Toi Et Moi (You And Me).
+973 1768 3295 www.afbahrain.com
EXHIBITION
Fuel for thought
25-28 May
The 6th Middle East Petrotech, at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, is an exhibition and conference for the refining, gas and petrochemicals sector. It attracts high-profile firms from across the region, including the Bahrain Petroleum Company.
973 1755 0033, www.mepetrotech.com
FASHION
Season preview
12 May
The “Summer Trends” fashion show at the Golden Tulip Hotel will highlight the coming season’s trends, including collections from UK company Hobbs and shoe chain Nine West. There’s also a showcase of Asian and Bahraini wear.
+973 1753 5000
PHOTO SHOW
Climate campaign
8 May-6 June
The British Council is holding a photography exhibition on climate change, “NorthSouthEastWest”, at Beit AlQuran from 8 May-6 June, as part of a global campaign. And on 16 May there’s a seminar by the Bahrain Businessmen’s Association on the Economics of Climate Change, aimed at the local business community.
+973 1726 1555
PICK OF THE PICS
2-22 May
The World Press Photography Exhibition is a prestigious display of the best of the year’s fashion, documentary, sport and news images. The exhibition shows first in Amsterdam, before coming, for the fourth year in a row, to Seef Mall. While some of the 200 pictures on display will be familiar from newspaper front pages, many aim to introduce the viewer to untold stories from around the globe. Inspiring and moving, the images are also available in the World Press Photo Yearbook, which will be on sale at the venue.
+973 1758 1111, www.worldpressphoto.org
|
