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TODAY 2016 1930 1832 1772 DAY IN Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1st-ever football (soccer) World Source of Mississippi River Captain James Cook begins 2nd HISTORY David Cameron resigns, and is suc - Cup competition begins in Uru- discovered by American geog- voyage aboard the Resolution to ceeded by Theresa May. guay rapher Henry Schoolcraft the South Seas to search for Terra Australis (Southern continent) Saba Saleem Game development has always been our passion. We often attend and participate in gaming events and activities locally and regionally. We received a positive feedback from the gamers and developers community when we showcased a prototype of our game “Musa, A Brother’s Story” at the IGN Convention last October. We were encouraged by many to develop the game further and officially launch it SABA SALEEM Saba during a presentation at Flat6Labs inaugural ceremony more than 95 per cent of the people who As The Stories Studios was chosen by the She said, “We have many gamers who played it saying that they will buy it once the entrepreneurship incubator Flat6Labs, Trib- spend plenty on games in Bahrain and in the full version is launched. We received a high une spoke with Saba on the addition this region, but we have very few developers. This rating on the music, graphics and gameplay. sponsorship would bring to their establish- helps us become pioneers in this industry, We are currently working on developing the ment. especially after participating in business game more, taking into consideration some Saba expressed her excitement to be part accelerating programmes such as Flat6Labs.” of the remarks of the people who played the of Flat6Labs’ first batch in Bahrain. “It’s a big responsibility and more light game. We’re hoping to officially launch it by She said, “We have been part of the pro- is shed on the industry by big investors. the middle of the next year,” says Saba. gramme for three weeks. It includes a lot of We’re actually being recognised as lead- She also said that The Stories Studio has teaching, mentoring, training and sharing ing game developers by well-known a lineup of similar ideas that they’re hoping experiences. This also includes networking establishments such as the Econom- to materialise in the near future. The ideas and meeting notable people and investors. ic Development Board. However, target human-interest and global issues, such We like the professionalism and care from since it’s a fairly new field, some as climate change, clean water scarcity and Flat6Labs. The programme lasts for four investors may hesitate before other causes. months, but the accelerator’s involvement pumping funds in such pro- “Through games, we can raise awareness and follow up on our work would continue jects. It’s our job to explain on such global issues and bring them to the after it’s completed.” the growth of the industry notice of more people. They could also open Saba also underlined the importance of worldwide and the po- doors wide for gamers to use their imagina- the financial support Flat6Labs provides tential it has locally and tions in coming up with innovative solutions,” (USD30, 000) which she said will contribute regionally. This may Saba commented. to transforming their projects into better also be a gateway for The Stories Studios plans to allocate 2.5 pc investment-ready companies. hosting internation- of its revenue to serve the different causes al game develop- highlighted in the games they develop, with ment events, that initial plans of launching a different game A Bright Future Awaits Game Development will surely have a every 18 months. in Bahrain positive impact Saba also shared her views on game devel- on the Kingdom’s opment in Bahrain and the GCC region, as the economy,” Saba Flat6Labs: To New Beginnings industry is rapidly growing globally. added. TAKING THE STAGE Kuwait’s first soprano brings Puccini to the Gulf A soprano by training, and with her trademark bob haircut, Amani Hajji is Kuwait’s first opera singer with a small but dedicated local following “The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli try in music festivals in Bahrain, Italy, national conservatory, she is starting up across the region, with Dubai and Amani Hajji is Kuwait’s first op- opened the venue, and a lot of Kuwaitis Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco and else- to sense a budding interest in opera Oman each home to a venue. era singer. She has represented were outraged by my absence,” Hajji where. at home. But there is still cultural pushback her country in music festivals in told AFP. Shortly after her initial snub by Ku- Most of them, however, are men -- against the genre, some say. Bahrain, Italy, Ukraine, Turkey, “That’s how I discovered that I had wait’s opera house, she made it on stage and Hajji still has her eye on finding a Ahmed Kandari, an opera teacher at Morocco and elsewhere. Now an an audience who knew who I was and in her native country performing with female star pupil. Kuwait’s conservatory, had to face his who loved me.” the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra. “There is so much raw talent that family’s disapproval over his choice to instructor herself at Kuwait’s Hajji was first introduced to opera as we’re working to train musically,” Hajji study opera. national conservatory, she is a teenager, when she saw a television ‘Raw talent’ told AFP. Today, he is fighting to introduce mu- starting to sense a budding special that caught her eye. Hajji credits her oriental roots with “But I’ve always dreamt of singing sic into Kuwait’s educational system. interest in opera at home “I loved music in general, and in my helping Kuwaiti audiences relate to the a duet with another female Kuwaiti “High school education is marked by first year in high school I saw an inter- classical works of Puccini and others. opera singer.” the total lack of a music curriculum,” view with Ahmed al-Baqer, who found- “Even if they don’t understand the Kuwait’s conservatory is highly he told AFP. ed Kuwait’s conservatory,” she said. language, the audience appreciates the popular in the Gulf and for years has “We have to start introducing it ear- “I decided to register for lessons. I music, the way it is sung,” she said. drawn students from neighbouring lier, and growing our education, to help started to train and then discovered “I have my own style. It’s sentimental. countries -- some of whom have had to teach the public appreciation of differ- opera, thanks to an Egyptian teacher It’s a contrast to the Western way of stand up to their families to follow their ent musical styles and genres.” here in Kuwait.” interpretation.” passion. The work of Hajji, and Kandari, has Amani Hajji poses for a picture at the Higher Institute for Musical Arts in Kuwait City She has since represented her coun- Now an instructor herself at Kuwait’s Opera houses have also begun to pop inspired youth beyond Kuwait. Hon. Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Editor-in-Chief Mahmood AI Mahmood | Deputy Editor-in-Chief Ahdeya Ahmed | Chairman & Managing Editor P Unnikrishnan | Advertisement: Update Media W.L.L | Tel: 38444692, Email: [email protected] | Newsroom: Tel: 38444680, Email: [email protected] Subscription & circulation: Tel: 38444698/17579877 | Email:[email protected] | Website: www.newsofbahrain.com | Printed and published by Al Ayam Publishing .

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