Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities - Kingdom of Bahrain

Creative Sectors

Design

Muharraq’s community has had a long standing, close association with design throughout its urban and communal history.

Inventive and interdisciplinary use of design marks the character of the industry in Muharraq, and in Bahrain.

Under BACA and Sheikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, several historic buildings are adorned with stunning interiors invoking the imagination of local and international visitors.

There are several project examples from Muharraq which innovatively reuse the local designs enriched with multicultural influences. The renovation and refurbishment projects of the last decade skillfully reflect design, creativity and imagination in details on all dimensions of the buildings; including but not limited to the building materials, spatial use, furniture, textiles, decorative elements, installations and art works.

The interior of Nuzul Al Salam Hotel by world-renowned Bahraini designer Ammar Basheir.
Sheikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Muharraq.
Photo credits: © Ammar Basheir.

Art

Muharraq has a leading role in the art scene in Bahrain with numerous exhibitionand interactive venues, as well as a growing number of art galleries

Studio 244, a space provided by the Supreme Council for Environment is an accessible platform to discuss, elaborate and raise awareness on contemporary issues 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.

Flying Birds – Junction of Al Ghous Highway
& Shaikh Isa Causeway
By Artist Khalil Al Hashimi.

Architecture

Architecture is an essential dimension of the city’s close connection to design: the housing units and their courtyards, traditional ventilation systems, wood work of the ceilings and decorated wooden and gypsum panels are evidence of intercultural presence in Muharraq Island. Muharraq, as the capital of the pearling economy in the Arabian Gulf, greatly benefited from the international commerce and intercultural encounters, evident on the outstanding architectural expressions. The urban layout developed in the fareej system added an organic and unique street pattern which is preserved until now. Today, the contemporary architectural layer of Muharraq elevates the urban quality tremendously. Further details on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of ‘Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy’ and new architecture can be found at the official website of the Pearling Path.

https://pearlingpath.bh/en/

Street view from Muharraq. ©Sh. Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research.

Thumbnail image: Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Centre designed by Valerio Olgiati.

Pearl Jewellery

	Pearl jewellery design stretches back thousands of years. It is embedded and integrated into Muharraq’s city life and visible in its urban fabric. Today, pearls are not only used in jewellery making, but also in the design of many day to day decorative items or accessories such as clocks, pens, and boxes.
Gold and Pearl bracelets, Bahrain National Museum collection

Music

Both traditional and contemporary music are celebrated during the annual Bahrain International Music Festival and various other events.

During the festival, several venues are selected in Muharraq.

Dar Al Muharraq, located in the heart of Muharraq’s historic centre, invites music enthusiasts into the city. Regularly organized musical evenings provide a unique environment for the audience to immerse themselves in the culture of Muharraq and experience close interaction with the traditional musicians.

Dar Al Muharraq

Thumbnail image: Fjiri Performance at Dar Al Muharraq.

Fashion

Fashion is another creative field gaining importance in Bahrain. Modern materials, traditional textiles and traditional patterns harmoniously enter the contemporary fashion scenery of Bahrain.

The Kurar House under Sheikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research is dedicated to reviving the traditionof gold embroidery, which is a fascinating intangible heritage of Bahrain.

The practitioners of embroidery use modern materials and traditional techniques to try to re-introduce heritage into contemporary clothing.

Kurar House, Sh. Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research, Muharraq.

Gastronomy

Culinary creativity is another growing sector in Bahrain.

Muharraq accommodates several restaurants offering a fusion of Bahraini and diverse international flavours.

The Food is Culture initiative, organized by BACA at the Bahrain National Museum, experiments with the synergies between various mediums of art and food. Pairing chefs with musicians, artists and photographers for a beautiful outcome.

http://culture.gov.bh/en/events/AnnualFestivals/FoodisCulture/

2020 marks the fifth year edition of Food is Culture project, where once again five chefs and five artists worked together to create and inspire.

Black Lime Mousse by Chef Lulwa Sowaileh in collaboration with photographer Ishaq Madan. The 5th edition of Food is Culture initiative.

Literature

Al Khalifiyah library, located in the heart of Muharraq, complements the highly commercial Sh. Hamad Avenue and offers a quiet corner to spend time reading or studying. The function of the building is once again entwined with a strong design presence.

The Bahrain International Book Fair organized by BACA biennially always selects a location closely associated with cultural heritage. The pavilions installed feature a strong contemporary design.
Many cultural publications are launched during the event together with important new literature titles.

The Knowledge Transfer Project aims to translate 50 selected literature masterpieces into Arabic and it organized two conferences in Muharraq. The Project brought literary scholars together in the city, using historic and modern buildings as venues.

Al Khalifiyah Library, Muharraq.

Calligraphy