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Bahrain celebrates ‘Our Year of Heritage’ with a four-pronged strategy dubbed the ”Four Paths to Happiness” which includes a local market, Eid concerts, a Summer Festival and a new initiative designed to encourage more visitors to Bahrain's historic sites. This was unveiled by H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) president, during a press conference at Bahrain National Museum on 17 June 2015 in the presence of many personalities, diplomats, and culture and tourism professionals and lovers.

H.E Shaikha Mai stated during the press conference that, “harmony and love are our targets in all what we do and plan in our cultural events”. H.E added, “Joy and happiness are our priority, while always keeping in our minds bringing people and countries closer together through possible cultural visions that embraces all. This summer season, starting with Eid until later this year, we have four major attractions which we call the Four Corners of Joy,” H.E Shaikha Mai added.

H.E said that these events, including the Culture Tourism Passport, Ramadhaniyath (Bab-Market), Eid concerts, and the Summer Festival, are part of the ongoing concept created for Bahrain’s summer fun. With the Culture Tourism Passport, we will be introducing the best places in Bahrain to not only foreigners but also to locals and those in the region, who are yet to see many of these places. A Dilmun stamp on the passports of those who visit these sites will be proof of pride for Bahrain. H.E Shaikha Mai said Bahrain needed to put more emphasis on heritage and culture tourism as an alternative to shopping in modern malls.

H.E expressed her gratitude and thanks to all lovers and sponsors of the cultural events and activities in Bahrain, starting with Khalid Abdurahim Group, which sponsored Nakhool Summer Tent, Akram Meknass for his generous support for Eid concerts and festivities, one of which will be held on the National Theatre stage. H.E also thanked Gulf Finance House for its support with regard to Ramadan events and also everyone contributing to the spread of cultural activities and awareness in the kingdom throughout the year.

Activities commence with the Bab-Market Ramadhaniyath, which will take place over two weekends on June 26 and 27 and July 3 and 4 at the Art Centre and Cultural Hall in Manama. Vendors selling Bahraini products and homemade food will be accompanied by interactive installations, performances, arts and crafts from 8pm to 1am each day.

This will be followed by a series of Eid concerts beginning with a performance by the Mohamed bin Faris Folk Band and the annual Ta'a Al Shabab youth culture festival on July 18 at the Cultural Hall, from 8pm.
On July 19 music with a Moroccan flavor will be performed at the same venue from 8pm, while Saudi musician Majid Al Mohandis will perform at the Bahrain National Theatre on July 21 from 8pm.

After Eid a range of activities have been lined up as part of the Summer Festival from July 30 to August 31, under the theme ‘Our Year of Heritage'. Included are a variety of free cultural, educational, and entertainment activities for families at the Nakhool Tent, next to Sitra Mall. Mascot Nakhool, a character symbolizing Bahrain's tradition, culture and its Dilmun history, will be there as always.

In addition as part of a six-month campaign to promote tourism and attract visitors to Bahrain's cultural sites, the Culture Tourism Passport initiative is being introduced. Every time someone visits one of 21 sites they can get their passports stamped and those who visit all 21 sites are entered into a draw to win a trip outside Bahrain. “We need to go for culture as Bahrain is a cultural destination and a beautiful destination that has class and quality. We need to promote it that way, instead of going only on a commercial angle. We can afford to be different and must do something different to attract the crowd from the GCC and the world, by offering them something novel and which is unique to Bahrain” stated H.E. Shaikha Mai. The Culture Tourism Passport initiative will run from Eid until mid-December.

The scheme is open to both Bahrainis and foreigners and the 21 sites are the Bahrain National Museum, Bu Maher Fort and Visitor Centre, Bahrain National Theatre, Bahrain Fort, Bahrain Fort Site Museum, Riffa Fort, the Tree of Life and Visitor Centre, Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Centre for Culture and Research, Bab Al Bahrain and Visitor Centre, Al Hedaya Al Khalifia School, Oil Museum, Bait Al Quran, Mohammed bin Fares Hall, Al Qaysariya Suq, Ibrahim Al Arrayed House of Poetry, Khalaf House, Al Fateh Mosque, Khamis Mosque, Barbar Temple, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa House and Bin Matar House.

Bahrain’s Summer Festival will come as usual and expected from all over the world to join Bahrain in celebrating cultural, musical and tourism events and festivities starting 30 July until 31 August 2015. Bahrain National Theater will commemorate the sweet lovely songs of Um Kalthoum, in cooperation with the Egyptian Embassy, presented and led by Egypt Opera House Troupe. In addition, Philippines National Ballet will attract its lovers in to a special night music ballet and the French Embassy will also hold a press conference to announce a series of events in Bahrain Summer during July 2015.