HUNDREDS of families yesterday flocked to enjoy the official opening ceremony of the fourth annual Bahrain Summer Festival.

The four-week festival is being held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) until July 15 under the patronage of Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Held under the theme "Manama, City of Joy", it offers a wide variety of exciting and elegant artistic and cultural performances by international artists.

Nakhool City, in which Nakhool, the festival mascot, interacts with guests, was also launched yesterday.

Visitors will be able to take part in free cultural, educational and fun activities for children such as electronic games, technical colouring and painting workshops, a professional photography camp and a puppet camp amongst other interactive programmes at the city daily from 2pm to 7pm.

Some of the major highlights include Russian theatrical performance, Slava's Snow Show, one of the world's renowned musicals, the Sound of Music, a performance by the region's top hip hop artist Qusai and Bahrain's own Hala Al Turk.

Tickets are required for all events, except for Nakhool City and the Wooden Circus.

For more information, visit www.bahrainsummer.bh or follow the festival's Twitter account @BahrainSummer12 and Facebook page, facebook.com/BahrainSummer.

Slava Polunin presents the Slava's Snow Show at the BIECC, hall 1B, June 7pm.

Nakhool City at the BIECC hall 1A, daily 2pm to 7pm.

Los Vivanco presents Aeternum at BIECC, hall 1B, June 21 and 22, 8.30pm.

Wooden Circus at Nakhool City in BIECC hall 1A, June 26 to 29, 5pm.

Omar Faruk, Turkish concert at BIECC, hall 1B, June 30, 8.30pm.

Qusai, hip hop artist at BIECC, hall 1B, July 3, 8.30pm.

Hala Al Turk songs performance at BIECC, hall 1B, July 6, 7pm.

John Payton presents the Sound of Music at BIECC, hall 1B, July 10 to 15, 7pm.