Bahrain is set to launch the first America Culture Week, a week-long festival, which will feature skateboarding stunts, a jazz night, art exhibitions and a trade show of pure American muscle cars among its key highlights.

The first festival will also feature a wide range of activities including seminars, business symposiums, performances by top comedians, educational programmes, trade fairs, a charity bazaar, a bikers' day and a basketball tournament.

The celebration will kick off on May 20 and will highlight the cultural and economic ties between Bahrain and the US.

"The America Week Festival will offer a variety of activities, promotions for the whole family," said US Ambassador Thomas Krajeski.

Krajeski was speaking at a Press conference yesterday (May 6) at the American Corner in Bahrain Polytechnic, Isa Town, where he announced the festival plans and launched its website.

He chaired the meeting with Polytechnic Board of Trustees chairman Shaikh Hisham bin Abdul Aziz Al Khalifa, in the presence of American Chamber of Commerce president Hamed Al Zayani.

The Ambassador said the idea is to celebrate long-standing friendship between the countries and highlight their strong cultural and economic ties.

"This event promotes the US with special focus on higher education and business between the two countries. Bahrain had a difficult year and to overcome the difficulty, this event aims to maintain people to people relations,” he said.

"The US is recovering from its own economic challenges and this event promotes economic benefits for both the countries."

The embassy and American Chamber of Commerce - Bahrain (AmCham) will co-host the festival to highlight the important role such events play in fostering deeper economic relations between the two countries.

It will start with a seminar, Citibank Education USA, on May 20 at Seef Mall Atrium at 5pm. It will be followed by Chevron Kick-off event at 6pm, featuring skateboarding tricks by Seth Levy and a show by Arab-American Comedian Nemr Abou Nasser.

The following day will feature a GPIC business symposium at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry at 9am, including American and Bahraini panel members who will discuss trade relations. Key note speakers include US Chamber of Commerce vice-president Lionel Johnson and Investcorp president Mohammed Al Shroogi.

Later that day, an educational seminar sponsored by J P Morgan will be held at Seef Mall Atrium at 5pm.

On May 22, a seminar targeting Bahraini students who want to pursue higher education in the US will be held at the mall from 5pm, and will be sponsored by American Express.

It will be followed Bahrain American Cultural Exchange Society (BACES) Great Lakes "Wear Your Colours" Alumni event, during which graduates of US universities will don their college T-shirt and gather for a night of reminiscing at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa at 7pm.

The festival will also highlight tourism and art on May 23 with a series of activities.

It includes a presentation on applying for US visitor's visa at Fraser Suites, 10am, and a seminar sponsored by Occidental Petroleum Education at the mall at 5pm.

The official opening of the American Art Space at Al Riwaq Art Gallery in Adliya will take place later that evening, in which visiting American Artist Bruce Sykes will conduct a workshop at 7pm.

The next day, May 24, will bring together motoring enthusiasts from across the country as the Royal Golf Club "American Fair" Trade, Car and Motorcycle Show takes off at 2pm.

It will feature fun-filled activities for families including displays of the latest American cars and motorcycles and a raffle draw in which the top prize is two United Airlines tickets to the US, including free stay at the Marriott Hotel. More information will be revealed.

Classical movie fans can also enjoy a special screening of the 1942 romantic drama Casablanca, which will be held at Seef Multiplex at 7pm on the same day, with an introduction by a special guest.

More than 100 bikers from Harley Owners Group (HOG) Bahrain chapter are expected to take to the streets on May 25 during the Friendship Ride at the Marriott Executive Apartments in Juffair starting at 7.30am.

Bikers would start the day with breakfast and registration and then take a ride down to the Royal Golf Club in Riffa for the fair.

Later in the evening, a classical jazz night will be hosted at the InterContinental Regency at 6 pm.

The last day of the festival, May 26, will feature the American Women's Association Spring Craft Bazaar, which will be held at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence and Spa from 11am to 5pm. Proceeds of the bazaar will go to a local charity.

A basketball tournament featuring Bahrain and American players will also be held on May 26 at Al Najma Club in Juffair from 10am.

Krajeski said the American team will consist of players from the US Naval base in Juffair. – TradeArabia News Service