10 July 2018
Bahraini Arts, Literature and Music at the 40th Assilah Forum Anniversary, H.E: We invest in Culture for a sustainable development and change in our countries
The Kingdom of Bahrain will be present in 40th “International Cultural Mous¬sem of Asilah”, Morocco, which has transformed the qui¬et “city of arts” into an exuberant stage for poetry, music and artistic events. The new cultural season is under high patronage of HM King Mohammad VI, and under the supervision of Mohamed Benaissa, former Moroccan Foreign Minister Secretary-General and Founder of the Asilah Forum Foundation. The Asilah Moussem is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a focus on “Africa” as a guest of honor this year.
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities kicked off its first cultural events on 9 July 2018, presenting an exhibition “Four-by-Four: Art From the Kingdom of Bahrain” a book launch ceremony was also held to shed light on 40 years of Bahraini participation in Assilah at the Centre Hassan II des Rencontres Internationales. H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and H.E Mohamed Benaissa, former Moroccan Foreign Minister Secretary-General and Founder of the Asilah Forum Foundation attended the ceremony, as well as artists, culture figures and lovers of Arab and Bahraini cultural encounters and journalists.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E said “ Bahrain’s compass has been pointing to Asilah for 40 years now, the intellectuals’ and artists ‘destination every year” , before adding “ we take part in this cultural moussem to enhance the Arab cultural movement and to learn from Assilah experience as a model for sustainable development industry investment, which capable to drive a positive change in our Arab countries that we look forward to be part of the regional and international cultural arenas”. H.E lauded the efforts deployed by H.E Mohamed Benaissa saying “ His love and devotion for Asilah and his determination to make it an iconic cultural destination have put this beautiful town on world culture map”. H.E also said “ We celebrate Asilah ‘s 40th anniversary with much gracious love and beauty”, arguing that culture remains the most important tool to make a change, enhance national identity and promote a bright image of our Arab world.
H.E Mohamed Benaissa, former Moroccan Foreign Minister Secretary-General and Founder of the Asilah Forum Foundation, for his part, expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation towards the Kingdom of Bahrain led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him, for the constant support for Asilah Forum. Mr Benaissa added that Bahrain has always been significantly present in cultural moussems held in Asilah, through the Bahraini bright intellectuals and artists who manifest themselves as talented and creative minds. Mr. Benaissa also praised the role played by H.E Shaikha Mai in the cultural movement in Asilah Morocco and her constant support for Arab social and intellectual endeavors, expressing his happiness about the publication of “40 years-Asilah”, explaining that Bahraini art works in Asilah, featuring painting, gravure and sculpture remain a creative rich heritage in the city reflecting the talents of these artists, along their counterparts coming from all over the world.
In Celebration of forty years since the start of the Assilah International Cultural Moussem, The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities will be hosting at the Hassan II Gallery in Assilah four of the pioneers of Bahraini art in Assilah. The exhibition, titled Four-by-Four: Art From the Kingdom of Bahrain brings some of the greatest Bahraini Artists who have changed the landscape of Bahraini fine arts: H.E Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Honorary President for Bahrain Arts Society, Balqees Fakhroo, Abdul Rahim Sharif, and Ebrahim BuSaad. Each artist celebrates art using different styles, colors, and mediums- just as Assilah celebrates the diversity of cultures in various forms. The exhibition features 4 works of art by each artist ranging from abstract color fields to convex chromes. The ceremony continued with an evening of music at performed by Bahraini pianist, Noor Al-Qassem at “ Culture Palace” center.
Worth to mention that the Kingdom of Bahrain attended Assilah 36th International Cultural Moussem, as a guest of honor, in 2014, presenting talented and creative arts’ shows, music concerts, intellectual forums and evenings of poetry and literature.
