This year’s annual Spring of Culture Festival in Bahrain will transform Manama into a destination for international and Bahraini culture during the months of March and April.

The seventh annual festival under the theme "Embrace the Experience" begins March 1 with more than 35 events, including performances by Julio Iglesias and legendary opera singer Andrea Bocelli. Local art exhibitions, lecture seminars, and music and dance performances fill out the rest of the festival events, many of which are family friendly.

"The objective is to promote Bahrain in all arenas, and to entertain Bahraini citizens who deserve to enjoy the creative and renewed variety of the yearly Spring of Culture programs, catering to all tastes and interests," Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said.

Other shows include: Egyptian singer Riham Abdul Hakim, Grammy award-winner Angelique Kidjo, Nigerian soul pop singer Asa, Japanese drums and bamboo flute music by Eitetsu Hayashi, Palestinian poet Samih Al Qassim and acrobatic dance and hip hop performances.