23 April 2019
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, The 27Th Annual Bahrain Heritage Festival Kicks off today
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him , the 27th edition of the Annual Bahrain Heritage Festival kicks off today, 24 April 2019, near Shaikh Salman bin Ahmed Al Fatih Fort in Riffa. The festival will run until 3 May and visitors can enjoy the event on a daily basis from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has prepared a rich program as part of its annual “ Year of Celebrations 2019” agenda, offering Bahrainis and residents an array of events that portray different aspects of local cultural heritage elements, such as folk popular arts, creative workshops, traditional crafts etc.
With regard to traditional crafts, visitors will enjoy a live manifestations of creative craftsmanship by very professional talented craftsmen, offering them the possibility of buying some items and products. Equestrian and horses-related craftsmen will show and explain how inventive tools and materials related to this art are made, such as tanning, horse rugs, horse bridles and halters, saddles, saddle pads, stock whips, gift ranges, grooming products, stable equipment, as well as everything for the rider, including an exquisite range of apparel. Other famous Bahraini crafts, such as Kurar embroidery, Al Naqda embroidery, Arabic for the measuring unit of silver weight features mostly in thobs worn by women, Sanadeeg Mubayata, which are traditional chests also serve as storage for clothing and personal items, will be also exhibited during the festival.
In addition, the annual Heritage Festival will also feature exhibitions that highlight the originality of Arabian horses in Bahrain, such as the "Horse and Rider" exhibition that includes a variety of equipment related to horses and riders, as well as photography exhibition, shedding lights on “Royal Horses”. The festival also features a collection of horse paintings and manuscripts from the Bahrain National Museum. The plastic art will be present at the festival through “ Heritage Inspiration” exhibition.
The 27th edition of the Annual Bahrain Heritage Festival’s stage will host a series of traditional Bahraini music shows, such as Al-Ardha, Al-Sout art, Al-leewah, dag-alab, etc, performed by folk music groups , such as Mohammad Bin Faris Music Group, Dar Qalali, Bahrain Traditional Music Arts, Al-Dar al Oda, Dar al Riffa Youth Band, Al-Hidd Music Youth Group etc. Moreover, the festival will host a number of lectures and forums by a selection of Bahraini intellectuals.
On the sidelines of the heritage festival, a popular traditional market will be organized offering an array of products, like local frankincense, clothing, coffee, and may laqqah. Visitors will certainly be pleased by a traditional food-tasting experience inside the festival venue courtyard cafés, offering folk and traditional foods and drinks, dishes that are lively and freshly made.
The festival, keen to enhance the awareness about the composing elements of the Bahraini heritage with regard to genuine authentic Arabian horses legacy, will also present a series of workshops for all ages.
Through the organization of this annual heritage festival, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities reaffirms its commitment the richness of the local heritage with its tangible and intangible elements, given that the festival has become an important rendez-vous for Bahrainis and visitors. In fat, the fact the festival has gained worldwide reputation and vigor since its launch in 1992 thanks to the gracious auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, May God Protect Him.
