11 March 2015
H.E Shaikha Mai Receives a Parliamentary Delegation
Seeking to provide a common meeting platform to support the cultural scene in the country, president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA), H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, received on 11 March 2015 at Bahrain National Museum the parliamentary delegation. The delegation was comprised of: head of the Utilities Committee, Jamal Dawood, Representatives Council First Deputy Speaker Ali Al-Aradi, other MPs, as well as, the culture authority work team and director of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, Dr. Mounir Boushnaqi. The meeting discussed the main cultural projects and ways to enhance cooperation between parliament and the authority to promote Bahrain as a historical and unique cultural destination.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E Shaikha Mai expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the members of parliament, noting that this year Bahrain is celebrating heritage and deeply-rooted history, under the theme ‘Our Year of Heritage’ initiative. H.E said, “Culture is the first line of defense. It is the mirror reflecting our openness and ability to live together regardless of our differences and how we should cooperate to preserve our most precious sources of wealth, culture and civilization.” H.E added, “Culture is the world in which we move. We have fashioned it through our social coexistence and which we are constantly creating anew. Culture is dynamic and it never stands still. Greater mobility, migration and digital networking are driving cultural diversity, interaction, momentum for change, adaptation and intermixing.”
Shaikha Mai explained to the MPs the main cultural projects of ‘Invest in Culture’ strategy are based on private-public sponsorship. One of these initiatives is the waterfront National Theatre of Bahrain sponsored and inaugurated under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Qala’at al-Bahrain Site Museum sponsored by Arcapita Bank. H.E briefed the audience on the Bab Al-Bahrain lagoon, which would restore part of Manama memory when the sea was just opposite Bab Al-Bahrain, adding that this project comprises of a lagoon surrounding the Kids Museum, the Open Theatre, car park in addition to the flyover bridge between Bab Al-Bahrain and the Financial Harbour. Indeed, Bab Al Bahrain urban oasis, a stylish indoor/outdoor district, would incorporate the latest technologies, and be welcome to pedestrian tourists and shoppers while keeping the parking lot at the same location.
H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa also highlighted the importance of World Heritage sites in cultural tourism development, pointing out that ‘Pearling, Testimony of Island Economy’, which was inscribed as а UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, entitles Bahrain to deem itself as a cultural tourism destination par excellence supporting the national economy. H.E explained that Bahrain has received the approval of the Islamic Development Fund in 2011 to grant the culture authority a flexible loan in order to finish the Pearl Trail project.
H.E also showcased the other cultural projects, which include a plan to setup a new museum at the site of historical Khamis Mosque in Manama. The project backed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, is expected to be complete in 2015 as part of celebrations marking the ‘Year of Heritage 2015’ under the theme ‘Our Heritage, Our Wealth’. H.E. Shaikha Mai paid tribute to the Crown Prince for backing the project, hailing his keenness on promoting the cultural momentum. She pointed out that HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa patronized the opening of the Pearl Trail Visitors’ Centre at Bu Maher Fort.
ARCWH’s director, Dr. Mounir Bouchenaki, gave a detailed explanation during his speech in the role of the center in tourism promotion through the well preserved Bahraini archaeological sites. Dr. Mounir said that the center is equal in its importance to other UNESCO World Heritage centers in China, Africa, South America and Europe.
MP Jamal Dawood hailed the efforts deployed by H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, with regard to Bahrain’s main cultural achievements and ways of bolstering cooperation between the Representatives Council and BACA to further promote Bahrain's cultural status. The delegation praised Bu Maher Fort Visitor Center that provides further information on the Pearl Road and the locations included in it. They noted the impressive focus and attention on the preservation of the architecture that accompanied the pearling industry that has helped to further showcase the social components that it grew alongside it and that it contributed to. They also expressed their satisfaction with the directorate’s organization of the expo in cooperation with Pierre Berger (Yves Saint Laurent), Jardin Majorelle’s Musée Berbère in Marrakech and Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.
