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Thursday (Dec 24) A solo exhibition by Abderrazak Hamouda entitled 'In the Beginning Was the Word' opens today under the patronage of Khaled Al Zeitouni, Ambassador of Tunisia, at 7pm. The exhibition will run until January 8. Born in 1953, the Tunisian artist has been living in Genva for almost 30 years. He's a self-taught artist and a recognised calligrapher. He teaches Arab calligraphy in Saussure College in Geneva and is also a professional trainer for art teachers. In addition to the various exhibitions that he participated in since 1981, Hamouda is the founder of Dar Al Founoun of Gabe's, Tunisia (Gabe's Art Centre) as well as founder and president of Tunis' Art, association of Tunisian artists in Switzerland.

The exhibition features 10 paintings which reflect his beliefs and thoughts. He transcribes in Arabic calligraphy, proverbs and phrases of well known poets such as Omar Khayyam.

The artist will also conduct two workshops in two private schools in Bahrain. He will also showcase techniques of calligraphy to students.

For details, contact 17717707 or email art@albareh.com

Friday (Dec 25)

Daily shows of the Golden Circus is running near the Al Ahli Club, Zinj, as part of celebrations to mark the National Day until January 15.

Russian, Chinese and Egyptian artists at the show pay a special tribute to the country's leadership in addition to new performances and an hour more than regular shows.

Daily fireworks are displayed as well as acrobatics, gymnastics, stilts and juggling acts.

Tickets cost BD10, BD5 and BD3 and are held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm daily except on Thursdays and Fridays when it will be held three times a day - 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.

Free for children under two. For details, contact Mohammed Ahmed Zayed on 39799333 or email

frsanbahrain@gmail.com

Saturday (Dec 26)

Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya will host artist Abbas Yousif who will showcase more than 20 paintings in acrylic and mixed media, in tribute to his late friend and Bahraini artist, Nasser Al Yousif (1940-2006) until January 3.

Abbas's work includes paintings, graphic arts and 'livres d'artiste'. He has had six solo exhibitions in Bahrain and in Abu Dhabi and has also participated to numerous collective exhibitions in the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

Public collections holding his works include the British National Museum in the UK, National Museum in Damascus and the Royal Fine Arts Society in Amman.

Yousif has won the 'Arts that inspire Arabic Calligraphy' award in Sharjah in 2006 and the Calligraphy Biennial of the Islamic World in Tehran, Iran in 2002.

For details, contact 17717707.

Monday (Dec 28)

The Al Riwaq gallery in Adliya is hosting a solo exhibition by Waheeda Malullah ending today.

The show entitled 'Visual games' is driven by Waheeda's interest in child psychology and will be exploring ways in which children structure their thought process. The artist will convey this through photographic and video works which will deal with this theme in a playful manner.

For details, email

info@alriwaqgallery.org or contact 17581176.