Sicily: “Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters” in the fourth edition is about to start
June 23, 2022, 2:32 pm

Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters

After the success of the public and critics of the previous editions, the Sicilian Lyric Choir, directed by Francesco Costa and chaired by Alberto Munafò Siragusa, launches the fourth edition of the “Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters.”

It is a traveling event that involves the spectator through music in a real journey through the splendid theaters of Sicily where the charm of history and legend come together in an ever-present embrace.

The Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters, recognized as an initiative of high cultural and artistic importance, takes place under the High Patronage of the European Parliament and the most important Italian and international institutional offices.

From 2022 the Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters also becomes a Mediterranean Theater Festival with the aim of transforming the stone from history to “musical meeting.“

Along the shores of the Mediterranean, the ancient Roman and Greek theaters continue to be testimony of a past that is striking for modernity with which he was able to express the desire of the human being to have fun and learn, through the representation ofeternal struggle between good and evil.

Constructed in stone, marble or carved into the rock, the theaters of the “Mare Nostrum” are places to be revived through symphonic and operatic music.

This will be the “mission“ 2022 of the acclaimed artistic and concert festival than leaving from Greek and Roman Sicily will land in archaeological sites of Calabria (Locri, Soriano Calabro and the ancient Kaulon) and will conclude the fourth edition inRoman amphitheater of El Jem in Tunisia.

Here are some of the celebrations of the 2022 edition of the Opera Festival of the Stone Theaters.

For the opera section the title chosen will be Carmen by G. Bizet which will be staged, in a new and monumental staging, in Ancient theaters of Syracuse (August 6), Taormina (August 9) e Tindari (August 12).

There will be a real celebration of classical ballet and of the woman who was certainly one of the greatest dancers of the twentieth century, Carla Fracci Memorial on 23 July.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Giovanni Verga, the great Sicilian writer will be celebrated with one of the pages of strong emotional impact and steeped in spiritual mysticism composed by Pietro Mascagnicomposer inextricably linked to the Etnean author: Rustic cavalrythrough the first national performance of the critical edition.

The 2022 edition also celebrate the rediscovery and promotion of authentic open-air theaters as the Capo Milazzo Marine Reservethe Andromeda Theater of Santo Stefano Quisquina (10 August), the Roman mausoleum of Centuripe (13 August), la Hellenistic necropolis of Abakainon in Tripi (22 and 25 August), theArchaeological area of Gioiosa Guardia (3 August), theagora of Megara Hyblaea (September 16), thearchaeological area of Caucana which will be transformed, for the first time, into real ones natural stageswhere the immortal melodies of the classical and lyrical world for a real “trade union“Between beauty, art and spirit.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.