Activities
Inspired by Muharraq
Inspired by Muharraq
Muharraq is a pioneer city where the combination of history, art and architecture has served as the primary inspiration in revamping urban life. With its unique Arabic character combined with international standards of modernity, Muharraq plays a very special role within the Gulf Region.
The city presents many opportunities for creativity throughout various types of public events; all of which serve to reskill Bahrainis, build cultural confidence and create synergies on an international level.
The magnificent structures are not merely an imprint of the significant past but also an inspiration. As a center of trade, Muharraq has a multicultural character where different nations interact and live together as a part of the local community for centuries.
Doors of Muharraq
Doors of Muharraq
During the celebrations of “Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018” the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities launched a photography callout through the social media outlets named “doors of Muharraq”. The initiative aims to encourage the local community to discover the old town and the aesthetics of the old houses.
Muharraq Creative City of Design Logo Competition
Muharraq Creative City of Design Logo Competition
Muharraq has a leading role in the art scene in Bahrain with numerous exhibition and interaction venues, and Art Galleries growing in number. Studio 244 as a venue to discuss, elaborate and raise awareness on contemporary discourses in culture, environment, art, design and knowledge. BACA, Studio 244 and Sh. Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research offer a variety of venues, and offer cultural programmes with public lectures, exhibitions and workshops. Several sculptures, art installations and frescoes in various parts the city aim to strengthen the creative urban experience.
Craftsmen Apprenticeship Training Programme
Craftsmen Apprenticeship Training Programme
We invite all those interested in culture, heritage and handicrafts in the Kingdom of Bahrain to join the Craftsmen Apprenticeship Training Program. This program aims to upskill participants, advance local craft, expand the artisan value chain and support the transfer of knowledge and skills from Master artisans to the younger generation in an effort to enable cooperation between artists and designers alike.
Participants will be an important component of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai.
The Kingdom of Bahrain’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai will run from 20 October 2020 until 10 April 2021 and is the first World Expo take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Expo 2020 Dubai is an ideal opportunity to highlight the successes and developments in the Arab world, with Bahrain playing an important role towards these achievements. The overarching theme of Expo 2020 Dubai is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, which will be explored through three sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability; and the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion will explore these aforementioned sub-themes through the lens of density.
From this context, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities seeks to spotlight handicrafts related to textiles and weaving at the Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion, and through live performances, interactive workshops, and exhibitions.
The Kingdom of Bahrain Pavilion aims to enroll prospective artisans in a Craftsmen Apprenticeship Training Program where they receive instruction, guided support, and access to capital, raw materials, and workshops that nurture and hone their skills as craftspeople under artistic direction by specialists in the field.
Behind the Doors, Talks by Longtime Muharraq Residents
Behind the Doors, Talks by Longtime Muharraq Residents
During the celebrations of “Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018” the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities commissioned the Dilmuni Couple to document live talks by longtime Muharraq residents recalling moments and situations of a bygone era.
Studio 244 Workshops
Studio 244 Workshops
A series of workshops are planned for children of various ages focusing on art, environmental awareness, literature & theater.
Please follow up with upcoming events for further details and registration.
Dar Al Muharraq events
Dar Al Muharraq events
Dar Al Muharraq regularly hosts live performances highlighting the various styles of the unique Bahraini Fjiri, a mystical genre that traces its roots back to the island’s glorious legacy of its world-famous pearling heritage.
Please follow up with the upcoming events for further details.
Artists Residency at Studio 244
Artists Residency at Studio 244
The Studio 244 Artist-in-Residency is designed to bring established as well as emerging artists of all disciplines to “Arad Bay Protected Area and Park” to showcase their work to a local audience, to give them a chance to create new work by providing studio space, and lastly, to provide an in-depth opportunity to learn from the Artist-in-Residence during workshops, lectures and special programs.
For further details on the programme and application procedures, please visit studio 244 residency page.
Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research - The Great Lockdown Exhibition
Shaikh Ebrahim Center for Culture and Research - The Great Lockdown Exhibition
This exhibition brought together an artist movement in response to the artist community to an open call by the Shaikh Ebrahim Center. Reflecting on the recent and ongoing social lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Exhibition brought together artists in Bahrain through the shared power of their individual experiences and expressions.
Hala Bint Mohammed AlKhalifa Exhibition
Hala Bint Mohammed AlKhalifa Exhibition
Taking place at Memory of the place Bin Matar House, The Bin Matar House was built on reclaimed land in 1905 and at the time was surrounded by the sea on three sides. Where Do We Sit? represents Hala Al Khalifa’s latest body of work. Chairs and sofas take center stage in this series of paintings on canvas, an exploration of feelings of belonging and connection, emptiness and loss.
Omar AlRashid "The Courtyard"
Omar AlRashid "The Courtyard"
In a series of drawings and oil paintings, Omar Al Rashid explores moments and encounters in Bahraini life around that central and connecting element of traditional architecture, the courtyard. Happy memories filled with laughter mix with fleeting moments of quiet reflection and solitude, all encapsulated in this geometric microcosm of life. This exhibition is currently on going at Memory of place Bin Matar House.
Second National Intangible Heritage Forum 2020
Second National Intangible Heritage Forum 2020
Building on the success of the forum’s first edition, the second edition of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Forum oversteps national boundaries by witnessing participation at the regional level.
This forum builds on the framework of the Authority’s vision to inscribe elements of Bahraini intangible heritage on UNESCO’s representative list, and this second installment highlighted four elements of intangible heritage: Arabic calligraphy, Ardah, Weaving and Traditional Attire.
Filming in the heart of Muharraq, broadcasted sessions which aired on September 21 and 22 2020 , accompanied the forum took place in Al-Khaleyfa Library. Situated in the old city center of Muharraq and it is reconstructed on the original Al-Khalefeyah Library, which was one of the first public libraries to be built in Bahrain. The building accommodates a reading area, a research center, an internet lab as well as offices. It also provides cultural programs and activities open to public.
Food is culture 6
Food is culture 6
Food is Culture is a creative experimental project that aims to bridge together the mediums of art and food. This experiment sheds light on creative processes that take place when two individuals from different creative disciplines collaborate. In its sixth edition, it took audience on a multi-sensory journey deep into the concepts and ideas our pairs have explored, as well as through various cultural sites in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
May Alheijeri and Tabea Lutz in Archeologies of Green
In the third event of its sixth edition, the food is culture festival hosted nutritionist Tabea Lutz with artist May Alhejiri for a multisensory experience at the archaeologies of green pavilion in Muharraq, reviewing concepts related to women’s health and nutrition through an exhibition entitled “The Female Moon Cycle “where May Alheijri embodied each stage of the cycle through three artworks representing scenes of a trip to the moon. “Mood Balls” created by Tabea Lutz were made of ingredients fitting each cycle.
Ghada Khunj and Chef Irvin Morales in Pearling Path Visitor Center
In its final event of its sixth edition, the food is culture festival took place in the pearling path visitor center in Muharraq, bringing together one of Bahrain’s most prominent artist Ghada Khunji with Chef Irvin Morales from Cantina Kahlo. Inspired by the life and works of Frida Kahlo, the event a visual culinary art experience.
Table and Chair
Table and Chair
(Table & Chair) competition aims to explore possible table and chair designs and to understand aesthetic and functional qualities of works of art/design. By taking into consideration Form, Function and Ergonomics, we encourage more (innovative, sustainable and versatile) submissions.
For further details and application procedures, please visit events page.
Open Call for Artists and Instructors
Open Call for Artists and Instructors
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities anticipates your involvement in widening the window into the arts world, engaging our audience through a series of educational short videos targeting children and/or adults alike.
For further details and application procedures, please visit event's page.
