22 April 2015
Singaporean delegation Visits National Museum
Strongly believing in the need to communicate between the different cultures and civilizations, a Singaporean delegation led by H.E Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, visited Bahrain National Museum on 22 April 2015 accompanied by Dr. Mounir Bouchenaqi, the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) Director and Culture & Antiquities Authority officials. During the visit, the delegation toured various sections of the museum and guests were also briefed on the manuscripts and models that depict a number of historical periods of the kingdom of Bahrain.
The tour comes on the sidelines of a state visit by the Singaporean delegation to Bahrain, where they met many state officials. H.E Masagos Zulkifli hailed Bahrain’s rich ancient heritage and civilization, expressing his admiration over the excellent organization of the exhibits and the manner of preservation. The Singaporean guest appreciated the historical importance of the archaeological findings exhibited at the museum halls and was impressed by the precious stones and semi-precious metals inside these ancient civilization’s graves. In fact, Bahrain National Museum boasts 5000 years old artifacts since the first human inhabitants set foot here.
During his visit, the Singaporean delegation toured the different sections of the museum, which includes three halls devoted to archaeology and the ancient civilization of the Dilmun, while two other halls depict Bahrain's culture, lifestyle and handicrafts. Burial Halls reflect what many archaeologists have unearthed, such as a few pieces of pottery and occasionally a shell or stone stamp seals, baskets sealed with asphalt, ivory objects, stone jars, and copper weapons.
In addition to the archaeological exhibits, the Singaporean delegation visited the Hall of Customs and Traditions and the Hall of Trades and Crafts, where life-size models of people are displayed in realistic settings, showing how life in Bahrain was lived in pre-oil, pre-air-conditioning times.
The delegation also enjoyed the ‘The Sicily of the Leopard in Piraino’s Collection’ exhibited currently and hailed the important role played by the museum to enhance cultural events in the kingdom of Bahrain.
