BAHRAIN
MARKING THE HOLY MONTH
1-30 September
Ramadan is a time of religious celebration and reflection for all Muslims, who fast during daylight hours. While the days tend to be quieter during the holy month, after iftar, or sunset, the Kingdom is a great place to be. Cafés and restaurants are busy long into the night, while many of the major hotels will set up Ramadan tents. Mosques and other venues do their bit for the community by hosting iftar meals at sundown for the less fortunate, as well as charity drives. The Al-Fateh Grand Mosque (the largest on the island, pictured), Beit Al-Quran (home to an anthology of religious Islamic manuscripts) and the Bahrain National Museum all host lectures and recital classes.
Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, +973 1772 7773; Beit Al-Quran, +973 1729 0101; Bahrain National Museum, +973 1729 8777
FESTIVAL
FLOWER POWER
12 September
One of the biggest festivals in the Indian state of Kerala, Onam marks the return of the legendary King Mahabali. The 10-day celebrations are a riot of culture, colour and great cuisine. Highlights of the event include Pookalam, an intricately decorated pattern of fresh flowers, and a snake boat race. Keralites celebrate their own version of Onam in the Kingdom at the Indian Club, the Palakkad Arts and Culture Theatre and the Bahrain Keralayeea Samajan, among others.
A host of cultural programmes, including traditional Kaikottikali dance competitions, come to a climax on 12 September.
EDUCATION
Culture double
Various dates
The Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) hosts two major conventions this month, kicking off with a treat for booklovers. From 10-19 September, the literary Al-Ayam Cultural Festival features book review forums, discussions and a series of literature seminars. Then, from 11-15 September, the Bahrain Computer Shopping Festival aims to educate and inspire with the latest laptops, desktop computers, accessories and network solutions, and is the ideal place to keep up to date with the latest developments in the world of technology.
Al-Ayam Cultural Festival, +973 1772 5111; Bahrain Computer Shopping Festival, +973 1731 1212
MOTORSPORT
BACK TO BIC
Various dates
After a break for the summer, the new seasons of the Circuit Racing Club and the Bahrain Drag Racing Club begin at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) this month, with action from the dragsters, the Batelco 2,000cc Challenge and the National Sprint Championship. The Xtreme Experience is also back, allowing you access to BIC’s Hummers, Caterhams, skid pan cars and ATVs. And throughout Ramadan, BIC hosts a series of evening events, including drifting, autocross and other activities in which audience participation is encouraged.
+973 1745 0000, www.bahraingp.com.bh
LIVE MUSIC
Concerts at St Christopher’s
19 September
The first in a series of subscription concerts at St Christopher’s School features baritone Howard Wong. The programme includes work by Vaughn Williams, Gerald Finzi and others.
Contact Theresa on +973 3915 0315 or st.chris.concerts@ googlemail.com
LONDON
The Mayor’s Thames Festival
13-14 September
This free weekend celebration of London’s river includes family events, music from Banco de Gaia, two open-air ballrooms with dance workshops and demonstrations, a children’s choir, a 300-boat rowing race along the length of the Thames and a fireworks finale. www.thamesfestival.org
LAHORE
ICC Champions Trophy
11-28 September
Teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and England compete in this one-day cricket contest, which opens and closes at the GaddafiStadium.
www.icc-cricket. yahoo.com
FRANKFURT
Madonna
9 September
The city’s Commerzbank Arena plays host to the Queen of Pop, still on the road at the age of 50, promoting her latest album, Hard Candy, with the Sticky & Sweet tour. www.madonna.com
PARIS
Jazz à la Villette
2-14 September
Some of those out to prove the tagline “Jazz is not dead” include Lalo Schifrin, Erik Truffaz, DJ Spooky, Henri Texier and Archie Shepp (right). The programme also has dance from Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and screenings of jazz-themed films. www.jazzalavillette.com
SHANGHAI
Shanghai Tourism Festival
13 September-6 October
This annual festival kicks off with an opening night parade on Huaihai Road featuring more than 20 decorated vehicles and 30 art troupes, as well as fireworks, and coincides with the Shanghai Shopping Festival.
KATHMANDU
Indra Jatra
25 September-2 October
This harvest festival features eight days of classical dancing in and around the central Durbar Square.
MUMBAI
Ganesh Chaturthi
3 September
Locals parade to the city’s beaches to immerse giant statues of the elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha in the sea, accompanied by drumming, singing and dancing in Mumbai’s most popular festival.
BANGKOK
International Swan Boat Races
13-14 September
Elaborately designed boats with the typical swan head, some of which are crewed by up to 50 men, race down the Chao Phraya River.
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