January 2017 — First Word
Welcome to the first edition of 2017 and we wish you, and all our readers, a very happy and healthy New Year. With the festive season, finally, behind us, things have quietened down a little giving us the opportunity to enjoy the island’s balmy winter weather. However, January still has plenty to do and, as always, we have all the details.
The much anticipated Bahrain Shopping Festival returns for a month from January 19. Details were still being finalised as we went to press but we can say, for sure, there will be some great bargains to be had at participating malls and retail outlets — keep an eye on our social media for further information as it’s released. And still on the shopping front, it’s also time for the annual Autumn Fair which sees 750 stalls take over the exhibition centre from January 25 to February 2.
Another annual event making a triumphant return is French Week and, this year, as well as artists and musicians, we’re getting a visit from celebrity shoe designer Christian Louboutin, which has hearts fluttering among the ladies in our office.
An event that’s coming up next month is the Bahrain International Garden Show and, in our interview section, Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the National Initiative of Agricultural Development, tells us what to expect. We also chat to Pakistani Ambassador, His Excellency Javed Malik about the expanding commercial and cultural links between his country and the Kingdom.
In his first interview as CEO, the new man at the helm of the Gulf Hotels Group, Garfield Jones, looks back on 20 years of developments and tells us what the future holds and, staying with the tourism sector, Mohamed Buzizi, of international group Skal, outlines what’s needed to encourage more visitors to the island.
In the Motoring section, we talk to Trevor Fletcher who has recently taken over at McLaren and has big plans for promoting the supercars with events and an owners’ club. And in dining, we check out the new Japanese tasting menus at Imari, which offers food with a view.
There’s also the regular round-up of great gadgets, movies and more. So, however you choose to welcome the New Year, make sure to take us with you for “your guide to a great way of life”.
