14 April 2015
H.E Meets Bahraini Theaters Directors
In recognition of Bahrain’s excellent and expanding creative infrastructure, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Authority for Culture &Antiquities (BACA), received on 14 April 2015 presidents of Awal, Al Sawari, Gilgamesh, Al Reef and Al Bayader Theatres in Bahrain. During the meeting they discussed ways of developing theatrical work in Bahrain, stressing the importance of this art in documenting and projecting Bahrain’s rich cultural heritage.
H.E Shaikha Mai highlighted the importance of the theatrical culture in Bahrain and its role in enhancing public awareness, leading to more varied and enriched literary, art, and culture activities in the country. It is also widely held that theatre, with its artistic content emanating from the dramatist to the producing artistes to the audience through an ever widening and deepening symbol, is essentially symbolic in nature. As an art form, theatre represents an experience of an event or experience which can be real or imagined and which is communicated to an audience through a medium. H.E added that theatre is an art tool aimed at documenting Bahraini genuine heritage and social culture, especially as Manama celebrates this ‘Year of Heritage’ under the slogan ‘Our Heritage, Our Wealth’. H.E said, “Theater is an art that unites us all under one roof, introduces us to ourselves and reflects the creative Bahraini society.”
The meeting discussed the role of theatre and how through songs, dances, music, mimes and dramatic enactments, theatre can be deployed to help Bahrainis internalize core values and beliefs that are germane to societal development. They were in agreement that theatre is a highly collaborative endeavor and that it can take the form of drama, comedy or musical theatre. Bahraini theaters presidents suggested ‘Bahraini Theater Days’ in celebration of theatrical art in parallel to the kingdom’s festivities celebrating National Day next December.
Bahraini theaters presidents, for their part, lauded the efforts deployed by H.E Shaikha Mai in supporting theatrical performances and shows in Bahrain, praising the outstanding work completed so far that preserves and reflects the bright image of Bahrain locally and internationally. They also voiced their readiness to cooperate with Bahrain Authority for Culture &Antiquities (BACA) with regard to future theatrical cultural projects, which would promote the moderate open-minded culture of the Bahraini society.
