Bahrain to celebrate US culture at event

Arab Spring hit Bahrain is to stage a week-long festival celebrating US culture, with highlights including Hollywood movies, basketball, cars and motorcycles. ‘America Culture Week’ will run for from May 20 and will emphasise the warm ties between the US and Bahrain, which is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base. "The America Week Festival will offer a variety of activities, promotions for the whole family," US Ambassador Thomas Krajeski told a press conference in the Gulf state. "This event promotes the US with special focus on higher education and business between the two countries. Bahrain had a difficult year and to overcome the difficulty, this event aims to maintain people to people relations. "The US is recovering from its own economic challenges and this event promotes economic benefits for both the countries,” he added. The events will be hosted by the US embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce - Bahrain. Bahraini authorities have been fighting a long battle against civil uprisings in the country, with protesters holding near daily demonstrations for more than a year. An estimated 85 civilians in the Gulf state have been killed as a result of the unrest.