08 February 2015
Bahrain Participates in the 5th Heritage Festival, Kuwait
The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by H.E Shaikha Azza bint Abdulrahman Al-Khalifa, Culture and National Heritage Assistant Undersecretary, as a head of Bahrain’s delegation and in the presence of H.E Shaikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Bahrain’s ambassador to Kuwait, has inaugurated its Pavilion at the Fifth Heritage Festival. The festival is being held every year in Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Cultural and Heritage Village and opened this year under the Patronage of HH Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jabir Al-Sabah.
GCC countries pavilions, including UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Gulf figures were inaugurated during this year’s festival that will be held until the 15th February 2015 at Sabah Al-Ahmed Traditional Village.
Bahrain’s pavilion has been planned in short notice to showcase Bahrain’s National Museum acquisitions, which were exhibited in previous events. Bahrain’s pavilion has gone all out to present a balanced, well organized series of exhibits which do not neglect the kingdom's heritage but try to make it clear that today’s image of Bahrain embraces beauty as the major them of its new cultural projects.
The festival is being held every year in Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Cultural and Heritage Village, which aims to preserve the Gulf heritage by hosting relevant competitions and exhibitions. Spanning over thousands of kilometers, the village is a unique site having its own cultural and historical characteristics. It features historic museums, competitions and awards, entertainment shows, old popular bazaars, children games, and restaurants and cafes. An artificial lake was built inside the village to highlight the marine heritage of the people in the Gulf. Camel riding and old car shows are among the activities offered by the village. Heritage competitions are being organized on a daily basis in the village's outskirts under the patronage of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, including camel, falcon, horse, bird, and goat competitions. Winners in these competitions are awarded valuable prizes. The festival, attended by representatives from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is an opportunity for each to display their heritage through various exhibitions. Horse and camel races will also be part of the festival's activities along with competitions exclusively for pigeons.
The Gulf's National Heritage Festival aims to enhance the Khaleeji heritage. A stand space for every GCC country, including Bahrain, was established in the village allowing these states to showcase their local arts and popular heritage. In addition to antiquities, handicrafts, and folk art, the Heritage Festival hosts also horse and camel races, falcon competitions, archery contests, and other popular competitions.
Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Cultural and Heritage Village underwent a major expansion this year and now includes a lake surrounded by restaurants and cafes, as well as shops and exhibition booths for all GCC countries, which display the culture and art of each country. It also includes a big space designed for children, a car drifting rink, and a football field. The village hosts weekly entertainment programs that include musical performances, games and competitions. Located in Al-Salmi, the village is close to camping sites which are frequented by residents of Kuwait during this season where the weather is cool and suitable for outdoor activities.
