Letters

Sitting in my garden and feeling so glad that I live in Bahrain, such a tolerant little island. Events in New Zealand make me despair for the human race. What could make that person decide to do what he did?

I went for a walk this morning round my area, past a few mosques, saying hello and good morning and waving to everyone, or simply sharing a smile. My Syrian neighbours are playing in the garden with their kids, the Lebanese neighbours on the other side are having a few drinks and getting ready for a party. I’m heading out with friends shortly ... why can’t we all just get along?

Martin Drennan, Bahrain.

 Thank you very much for the feature, headlined My learning curve, in last week’s FinTech Focus section of GulfWeekly. I had several people take pictures of the article highlighting our online platform Telpme.org which helps students find and book lessons with private tutors instantly. They shared it with me and others. It was very exciting!

I loved the article and so did my team and family. Great job!

Ameena Bucheeri, Arad.

 Thank YOU very much for the article in GulfWeekly’s Leisure Guide regarding The Belgian Spring Festival at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa. We did get some extra phone calls!

Around 80 people gathered together and enjoyed the Belgian hospitality event, held under the patronage of ambassador Piet Heirbaut, with many other diplomats enjoying the BBQ buffet fare and live cooking stations.

Dianne Peersman & Martine Kindt, The Belgian Club of Bahrain.

 The Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Programme (CPISP) has began accepting applications for its 2020 scholarships from qualifying students who have Bahraini citizenship, are enrolled in the 11th grade or equivalent and set to graduate from secondary school in 2020, and have a Grade Point average of 97 per cent or above for Grade 10 (two semesters) and Grade 11 (first semester).

 The submission period for 2020 scholarships is open until tomorrow. 

Qualifying applicants must fill out the application form available on the CPISP website www.cpisp.bh and submit it online with the following required attachments: official school transcripts in English for Grade 10 and first semester of Grade 11, copies of passport and CPR/smart card, and a recent passport picture. 

 After receiving the applications, the programme will arrange for students who meet the application criteria to take a set of qualifying tests to assess their English proficiency and critical reasoning abilities.

A minimum of 60 students will then be selected based on their GPAs and results of the qualifying tests, to take part in candidacy training courses and workshops organised by the programme over the summer and beginning of the next academic year. 

They will include about 40 students from government schools, and 20 students from private schools.

The final 10 scholarship recipients will then be announced in April next year, based on their Grade Point Average, and scores of their IELTS and SATs in math, writing, and critical reading, as well as their scores in select courses completed during their candidacy training. The recipients will include five young men and five young women from both private and government secondary schools.

Dr Cynthia Gessling, CPISP Director.

 The 2019 Spring of Culture rolls on with a pair of music concerts at the Cultural Hall headlined by a two supremely talented artists who are at the top of their craft.

The first of the concerts, A Tribute to Abdel Halim Hafez will see Egyptian singer Ahmed Efat and the Arab Music Ensemble paying homage to the late Egyptian singer’s classic love songs from the 1950s to 1970s. The event, organised in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy in Bahrain, will take place tomorrow at 8pm.

Taiwanese-American pianist Steven Lin will headline the second concert, Romantic Revolutionaries, on Friday at 8pm in a virtuoso performance of classic works by some of the all-time greatest romantic-era composers, including Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Robert Schumann and more.

The concerts are part of the 2019 Spring of Culture season organised by BACA.

CultureNewsBh.

 A month-long Thai gastronomic extravaganza is coming to Bahrain, bringing together a host of renowned restaurants that will take diners on a journey to the heart of Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand Dubai & Middle East Office, in partnership with Royal Thai Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa and Gulf Air, will launch the Thai Festival 2019 on Tuesday.

The EATHAI VISITHAI 2019 promotion will run until April 25 and will see the country come to life as people celebrate Thai culture and cuisine with incredible discounts on offer at 13 of Bahrain’s finest dining establishments.

Throughout the festival, Bahrain residents and visitors alike, will be able to experience the fiery rich flavour combinations and unique cooking styles Thailand is famous for.

Known worldwide for its authentic street food and fine-dining scene, Thailand is one of the world’s leading culinary destinations, having recently launched its very own Michelin Guide and is now home to more than 27 Michelin-starred restaurants. 

The participating venues will showcase their special Thai dishes with tasting and a live cooking show at the launch event at the Gulf Hotel.

In additional to a live display of Thai gastronomy, the launch event will also showcase traditional Thai performances and feature an exclusive Thai Silk Fashion Show by prestigious Thai designers organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture of Thailand.

Thai silk has become a coveted item across the globe, and it is one of the most sought-after products for visitors to Thailand and a highly-supported industry in the kingdom, with Her Majesty Queen Sirikit creating the ‘Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles’ in 2012.

We are beyond thrilled to bring The Thai Festival 2019 to Bahrain. Thai food is incredibly popular in the region and we are excited to showcase it further at this exciting festival, further showcasing our authentic culture and values.

The Thai Festival has been an ongoing success and we’re excited to see it return for another edition. It’s an incredible way to showcase our world-renowned cuisine and guests will be able to enjoy incredible discounts and win fabulous prizes.

Thanis Na Songkhla, ambassador, Royal Thai Embassy Manama, Bahrain & Pichaya Saisaengchan, director, Tourism Authority of Thailand Dubai & Middle East Office.