09 September 2015
H.E Meets French Culture Minister in Paris, H.E: culture is unmistakably the safest bridge towards a better humanity
As part of the kingdom of Bahrain’s efforts to use culture as a bridge to communicate between peoples and civilizations, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain’s Culture & Archaeology Authority, met with the French minister of Culture and Communication, Mrs. Fleur Pellerin Paris, on September 7, 2015. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 'Osiris, Mystères Engloutis d'Egypte' at Institut du Monde Arabe, (‘Osiris, Sunken Mysteries of Egypt’), by the president of the French Republic Francois Hollande. H.E also participated at a ceremony to support the restoration of Versailles Palace, Paris, France.
Bahrain’s Culture & Antiquities Authority (BACA) president exchanged conversation with the French Culture Minister Mme. Fleur Pellerin about the latest in global cultural developments, affirming the huge global role and production of French culture in various fields. H.E Shaikha Mai praised the links and diversity of Arab and French cultures based on mutual exchange as the bridge that never misses it path towards humanity's essence and through which desirable people-to-people communications can be achieved. H.E. expressed her happiness for this high-level meeting with the French culture minister, stressing the strong relations between both countries in the cultural field.
The history of diplomatic relations between France and Bahrain goes back to 1942, while cultural cooperation had started earlier in many aspects, which manifested itself after the visit of the French fashion designer, Jacques Cartier in 1921, who was looking for the precious unique beauty of Bahraini pearls.
The French archaeological expeditions and excavation missions, celebrating their 37th year, have helped to explore the hidden treasures of the Bahraini civilization, as reflected by the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In addition, in recent years, the framework for training and research in the field of World Heritage has changed significantly. Among the factors that have contributed to these rapid changes is the emerging of many new institutions now offering capacity building within the World Heritage context. In this regard, a major development was the establishment, in various regions of the world, of capacity building institutions that have been granted the status of "category 2 Centers under the auspices of UNESCO", dealing specifically with World Heritage. A meeting that was held following Resolution 17 GA 9, adopted by the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention at its 17th session (UNESCO, 2009), created the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH), Bahrain.
In Paris, Manama Arab Capital of Culture 2012 was launched during a press conference at the Arab World Institute, This special relationship between France and Bahrain has developed very strong ties and reflects a mutual cooperation, which will manifest itself in 2016 through a pioneering conference, the first of its kind in the Arab world, on ‘Invest in Culture’ organized by the Culture & Archaeology Authority.
An exhibition highlighting Bahrain’s legendary pearls was inaugurated at the Paris based Institut du Monde Arabe (IMA) entitled ‘Bahrain Legendary Pearls’. Moreover, the Islamic Arts, GCC pavilion, at the Louvre opened to the public, bringing what is believed to be the most extensive Islamic arts collection in the world to Paris, in accordance with a mutual convention, periodically renewable, in 2010.
In addition to many other world-famous shows and ballets, Bahrain National Theatre also hosted the most fantastic play, Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), which is one of Wolfgang Mozart’s most famous works, on the 5th & 7th of December 2014. The play is masterfully recreated and produced by the Festival of Aix-en-Provence in collaboration with Opéra de Dijon. The Magic of Mozart by Mahler Chamber Orchestra concert also mesmerized the audience.
