24 April 2018
The 26th Bahrain’s Annual Heritage Festival Returns at Arad Fort New Venue
Coinciding with Bahrain’s celebrations of Muharraq as the Capital of Islamic Culture 2018, and Under the Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the 26th Bahrain Annual Heritage Festival will be launched officially this year at Bahrain Fort Cultural village. This year’s festival theme is “ Muharraq Memory” and will be held from 25-April- 5 May 2018.
The festival’s program this year is very rich and endowed with diverse festive and traditional elements that reflect the very historical symbols of the city of Muharraq. The 26th Annual Bahrain Heritage Festival brings the island’s unique culture to the forefront and showcases the variety and diversity of local heritage. The festival portrays the theme of “Memory of Muharraq” which features exhibition spaces, craftsmen, workshops, food vendors, and live traditional music. It also offers a chance to see some of Bahrain’s finest craftsmen at work. Visitors will be taken into mysterious memorable relics of the past, reflecting the island’s rich history of culture, literature, art, sports and heritage. The festival will be a portal to the future for Muharraq—a link between the island’s rich history and its newfound modern identity as a culture hub; a number of handicrafts related to pearling and palm trees, traditional clothing and other famous historical Bahraini crafts and traditional industries. The visitors will be invited to enjoy the daily stands presenting pearl-related functions, including folklore pearling songs, shows exposing traditions divers’ houses, in addition to pearl piercing skills are constantly showcased. The festival also features educational shows for children, spotlighting divers’ lifestyles, as well as the most exquisite creations you will find, ranging from jewellery, iron, wood and paper products to embroidered and crocheted goods as well as highly artistic Arabic calligraphy. A balanced mixture of contemporary and traditional products at the souq which is surrounded by Bahraini cafes and offers the visitor to experience flavours of the Kingdom, as well as daily interactive activities, workshops, folk games, art exhibitions, and cafés offering famous Bahraini recipes inspired by traditional cuisine.
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has dedicated this year’s festival them to the “Memory of Muharraq”, shedding light on its rich cultural heritage belong to the all mankind, given universal value and importance. There is no doubt that Bahrain Heritage Festival has gained worldwide reputation and vigor since its launch in 1992 thanks to the gracious auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The festival reflects HM King Hamad’s personal interest in reviving Bahrain’s genuine and long-dating heritage and the need to preserve these rich and valuable assets for the future generations and promote them for a prosperous cultural scene.
