AN emphatic performance by Syrian troupe the Inana Dance Theatre raised the curtain on the Bahrain Summer 2009 festival last night.

The Zenobia Queen of the Levant production, held at the Cultural Hall near the Bahrain National Museum, was the first of 15 different cultural events that will take place over a four-week period.

Children also enjoyed live music, puppet shows, educational and artistic workshops and competitions at the opening of the Nakhool Tent at the Hillat Abd Al Saleh village yesterday. The tent will remain open daily from 5pm to 9pm until the end of the festival and will feature games, competitions, activities for children, daily movies, pottery painting and live radio competitions.

Festival activities will continue today with the Barney the dinosaur stage show and the performance of Canada-based Circus Orange at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), Sanabis. Starting today, the Barney shows will take place daily at 12pm and 6pm until July 26. The Circus Orange performances will run daily from 6pm until July 30, with additional performances at 8.30pm on July 23, 24, 29 and 30.

The cultural feast will also feature acts by whirling dervishes, jazz legend James Moody, traditional Arabic songs and dances and a performance by Egyptian diva Amal Maher. African and Latin American-influenced events are also on offer, with Kasai Masai Soukous and Tribal Fusion and Antonio Najarro dance company's Jazzing Flamenco sure to bring a truly international flavour.

The majority of events will be free, with only The Pearling Song (500 fils and BD3), Barney the Dinosaur (BD3 and 500 fils) and Circus Orange (BD3 and 500 fils) levying a charge. Organised by the Culture and Information Ministry under the patronage of Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the festival will run alongside the Ta'a Al Shabab Youth Festival, which concludes on August 15.

The festivals have been organised by the ministry and are being sponsored by Gulf Air, Batelco, Al Safir Hotel and Tower and Moda Mall. Tickets are available at Costa Coffee Cafs at the Bahrain City Centre mall and Seef Mall. All Ta'a Al Shabab Youth Festival events are free of charge.