Emirati singing sensation Hussain Al Jassmi, British singer Joss Stone, Egyptian composer Omar Khairat and Korean comedy and martial arts performance Jump join Grammy Award-winning singer John Legend in the line-up for this year's blockbuster Spring of Culture Festival.

Full details of the 10th edition of the cultural extravaganza were unveiled yesterday (February 22), said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister pubilcation.

Events get underway next Sunday (March 1) and will continue until April 30 under the slogan "Ten Bright Years.”

The shows will take place at some of Bahrain's most stunning historic and cultural landmarks.

Ten venues selected to host shows are Arad Fort, Al Bareh Art Gallery, Al Riwaq Art Space, Bahrain National Museum, Bahrain Fort, Bahrain National Theatre, Cultural Hall and Arts Centre, House of Poetry, La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Art, Salman Cultural Centre and Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research.

The schedule of events was announced during a press conference at the visitors' centre of Bu Maher Fort, in Muharraq, by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) president Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa and Transportation and Telecommunication Minister and Economic Development Board (EDB) acting chief executive Kamal Ahmed.

Activities will also focus on the heritage of Bahrain, coinciding with BACA's "Our Year of Heritage" initiative that features shows, seminars and workshops throughout 2015.

"The upcoming Spring of Culture marks a decade of celebrating heritage and civilisation and is a highlight of the 'Our Year of Heritage' initiative," said Shaikha Mai.

"The occasion underlines the ability of culture to engage with people from around the world, as well as forge partnerships to boost the cultural and intellectual movement.

"Over that span, our small kingdom stamped its place on the world map as a preferred destination that welcomes and showcases all forms of cultural and artistic expression from around the world."

Ahmed said the festival showcased Bahrain's openness and diversity to the world.

"The 10th anniversary of this iconic event reaffirms the commitment of the festival's organisers and sponsors to convey the message of Bahrain's openness and diversity to the rest of the world," he said.

"It is an occasion to honour cultures from around the world, an opportunity to engage with all strata of Bahraini society and further hone and harness the creative power of its talented innovators."

BACA media head Dr Elie Flouty told the GDN on the sidelines of the Press conference that the 10th edition of the festival would be the biggest yet.

"Unlike previous years where we had the festival for a month or more, this year it will be full two months and venues are also more in number," said Dr Flouty.

"Ticket sales are on for a few events, while the others will soon be announced on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts."

The festival also includes lectures and symposiums such as a talk by international author Pamela Olson on her award-winning memoir Fast Times in Palestine and a lecture by former French Culture and Education minister and president of the Arab World Institute in Paris Jack Lang called 'Love'.

Spanish flamenco dance and Enka's puppet-making workshop are other highlights.
Tickets for Jump went on sale yesterday, while tickets for the John Legend concert on March 2 go on sale at noon today. - TradeArabia News Service