05 January 2019
Dedicated to celebrate Muharraq as “Capital of Islamic Culture”, Bahrain Culture Authority Ends 2018 with a notable palmarès of accomplishments
In 2018, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities celebrated Muharraq as “ Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture ” after being nominated by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), in honor of its rich cultural diversity, deeply-rooted heritage and historical importance in the gulf region as a cultural, political, commercial and economic center. During 2018, Bahrain Culture Authority organized a richly diversified cultural program with a series of activities and notable historical achievements on all levels and categories.
The Islamic World Gathered in Bahrain at the End of the Year
Keen to make this event an international endeavor, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has succeeded to make “ Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018” an exceptional and unique challenge. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him, on 28 November, BACA inaugurated the opening of Pearling Path Visitor Center, a UNESCO World Heritage List site since 2012, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier. In addition, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities also inaugurated “5,000 Years of Pearls from Bahrain” exhibition that showcases an exceptional selection of pearl jewellery from the collections of the National Museum of Bahrain, Matar Jewelry House and Jacques Cartier.
In Manama this time, the Extraordinary Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers, organized by Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, in cooperation with Bahrain Culture Authority, ended its deliberations and sessions, which were attended by Organization of Islamic Cooperation’ 57 member states’ delegates , as well as by directors of regional and international organizations. Moreover, The Bell of World Peace and Love reverberated in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Theater as the closing ceremony of the Celebration of Muharraq as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018.
Innovative Cultural Seasons
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities continued to present its periodical annual cultural seasons, which kicked off with the 9th edition of Ta’a al Shabab festival in February 2018, followed by the 13th edition of Spring of Culture Festival. The announcement of its events coincided with Qalat al-Bahrain Site Museum (Bahrain Fort site) 10th anniversary celebrations. Indeed, Qala’at al-Bahrain site museum (Bahrain Fort site) was established in 2008 thanks to the generous sponsorship of Arcapita bank.
Bahrain’s 18th edition of International Book Fair was also held in a special tent near Arad Fort in the city of Muharraq between March & April 2018, welcoming the Guest of Honour, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, hosting a total of 400 local, Arab and international publishing houses, cultural and intellectual institutions representing 26 countries are taking part in the 2018 edition. The fair succeeded, thanks to its rich different cultural events, to attract more than 220 000 visitors, 7.000 students from 181 government and private schools.
The 26th Bahrain Annual Heritage Festival was also hosted at Arab Fort special tent, near the Cultural village, dedicated to the celebrate Muharraq, named as the “Capital of Islamic Culture 2018” under the theme “ Muharraq Memory”. shedding light on its rich cultural heritage belong to the all mankind, given universal value and importance and celebrating Bahraini long-standing heritage and Muharraq legacy in the fields of culture, literature, arts and sports, the festival attracted more than 35,000 visitors during that period.
In summer 2018, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities organized Bahrain Summer festival, an important cultural rendez-vous attracting more than 300 000 visitors during two months. In October 2018, the 27th Bahrain International Music Festival kicked off presenting musicians from different nationalities united by a passion to promote harmony showcasing their diverse heritages and how they blend with other cultures from around the world. Bahrain music festival calendar included also an array of music and culture events organized in many locations, such as the Cultural Hall, Bahrain National Museum, Art Center, Tree of Life, Dar Al-Riffa and Dar Muharraq.
December 2018 marked the end of BACA’s annual cultural seasons with a rich planning for December major important events; National Day celebrations and the most cherished event, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God protect him, Accession to the Throne. Therefore 18 events were scheduled during the whole month of December to satisfy all audiences eager to enjoy mesmerizing events enjoyed by all social categories, including art creative shows, music concerts, literary exhibitions, such as fairs, evenings of poetry and music, lectures, workshops etc. On 15 & 16 December 2018 the annual “ Manama Nuit Blanche”, All Night Music ” event, returned with 12 hours non-stop, unforgettable night of music, shows, literary readings, painting etc. On the same day, BACA held a press conference on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s participation in Dubai Expo 2020 at Pearling Path Visitor Center to give details of its Bahrain’s pavilion design.
2018 also was the year of exceptional unique exhibitions; Indeed, National Day celebrations also included “ Bahrain National Museum: A 30th anniversary retrospective” exhibition held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Isa bin Salman Educational Fund, commemorating Bahrain National Museum’s 30th anniversary. The show will run until May 2019. Bahrain National Museum hosted on January 2018, the inauguration ceremony of “ Between Muharraq and Seville: A Bolza-Bu Saad Dialogue” Exhibition, featuring a collaboration between Bahraini artist Ebrahim Bu Saad and Orientalist artist based Elisabeth Bolza in Spain.
The historical city of Muharraq had its share of exhibitions too; at Al-Hidaya al Khalifiya, BACA inaugurated another exhibition by artist Buthaina Fakhro, in December 2018, “ 100 Years; Portraits” under the patronage of H.E Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Honorary Chairman of Bahrain Arts Society.
The 42nd World Heritage Committee Meeting
After brilliantly winning the vast majority of votes during the World Heritage Committee (WHC) Presidency session, held during the 21st session of the General Assembly of State Parties to the 1972 World Heritage Convention held on November, 2017 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, H.E Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa was given the privilege to be the Chair of the Committee for the year 2018.
Therefore, Manama hosted, end of June, beginning of July of the same year, the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee, at UNESCO Village at the vicinity of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Manama. The meeting was attended by more than 2000 experts in cultural and natural heritage, representatives of the more than 139 member state countries and over 150 journalists from all over the world. The meeting inscribed 19 new sites on the World Heritage List, bringing the total number to 1092 sites in 167 “States Parties”. On the Sidelines of the 42nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee, Bahrain hosted two important meetings; Young Professionals Forum and UNESCO’s “ Heritage Site Managers Forum 2018.
Remarkable Plastic Arts Scene Events in 2018
In January 2018, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA) organized the 44th edition of the Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition under the auspices of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, May God Protect Him. The same month, BACA also launched “ Food Is Culture” events. In addition, the 6th Bahrain International Sculpture Symposium, was held at Bahrain National Museum under the supervision of world-renowned Egyptian fine artist and sculptor Adam Hanin and 12 sculptures participants from Arab and foreign countries.
The Art Center was also the theatre of many prominent culture events and exhibitions ; Zuhair Al Saeed “On the Road II”, a solo exhibition showing the works of artist Ali Hussein Mirza, titled “Wanderers”, the exhibition, “Syncopation”, by a group of Bahraini creative talents, Solo Exhibition “Texture” by Hisham Zubari, held under the ptronnage of HE Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa Minister of Oil, “This Compass will Always Point to Palestine” exhibition held for the first time in Bahrain, presenting topics of the occupation of Palestine and Jerusalem in a series of cartoons that Al-Ali produced since his early career and until his assassination in 1987. From closed doors and museum halls, Bahrain Culture Authority moved to public spaces in Muharraq city with Khalil Al-Hashemi art work titled “ a Squadron of Birds”.
Exceptional Cultural Cooperation with Prominent Famous Institutions
The celebrations of Muharraq as the “ Capital of Islamic Culture 2018 ” covered many remarkable activities and events in Bahrain, such as the exhibition hosted by the National Museum, namely“Al-Fann: Art from the Islamic Civilization from The al-Sabah Collection”, showcasing masterpieces of different Islamic art coming from different geographical locations, different times and creative industries. The exhibition was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), in the presence of the Director General of Dar Al Athar Al Islamiyyah, Her Highness Shaikha Hessa Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah and H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa. In December 2018, BACA inaugurated “Design Crossroads: The Jewellery of Saudi Arabia” exhibition, held under the High Patronage of H.H Shaikha Thajiba bint Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and in cooperation between Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and The Art of Heritage Group (AHG). The exhibition will run until April 2019.
Bahrain National Theater, Opening Doors to Regional & International Shows
With the start of 2018 ‘s celebrations of “Muharraq as the “ Capital of Islamic Culture ”, Bahrain National Theater had its role in the cultural scene movement, hosting Arab and international concerts and shows. The first concert was by Lebanese diva, Jahida Wehbe, who performed a mesmerizing show ( Tunes from Andalusia, Muwashat). Bahrain National Theater was the also the starting point of Spring of Culture festival events with coincides with the anniversary of the Arab Muslim traveler Ibn Battuta, hosting “The Epic of Gilgamesh” concert by Abed Azriya, maestro Alain Joutar, accompanied by the Notre-Dame University Choir-Louaizé, with NDU choir-Lebanon, ensemble à cordes de Paris, and Mohammad Bin Faris Music Band. In celebrations of World Tourism Day Bahrain National Theater also hosted a mesmerizing ballet gathering principal dancers from the world’s most prestigious ballet companies perform in Bahrain – ‘Star Gala’. Worthy to mention that the 27th Bahrain International Music Festival 2018 kicked off with Iraqi artist Hussain al-Adhamy concert at Bahrain National Theatre. Indeed, Bahrain National Theatre’s curtains also fell on “ Muharraq Capital of Islamic Culture 2018” events, organized by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, with with a special music concert, “Dreams of a Traveller – A Tale from Muharraq”, which took more than one year to prepare.
International Participations in Arab and Foreign Countries
During 2018, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities took part in many regional and international different cultural events; BACA was present, thus, international meetings, such as the 9th Asian Leadership Conference, held in Seoul, Korea, Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism, Italy, Shanghai International Art Festival, China, Conference of Arab Culture Ministers, "Louvre Abu Dhabi" Museum 1st anniversary celebrations. Bahrain Culture Authority also promoted during 2018 the authentic and genuine Bahraini culture components through holding international exhibition’s pavilions, such as International Architecture Exhibition- La Biennale de Venezia, Italy, Assilah International Cultural Festival through“1000 VASES” exhibition, The 33rd Janadriyah Festival, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and organized by the Ministry of National Guard until 9 January 2019.
Cultural Tourism Passport Unveils the Urban Treasures of Muharraq
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities launched in October 2018 the 2nd edition Cultural Tourism Passport at al Khalifiyah Library, Muharraq. Participants were requested to stamp their passports at all the 18 culture spots determined. Results of the competition were announced and out the 300 participants, 4 winners were offered travel tickets to Abu Dhabi by Dadabai travel agency.
New Dilmun Burial Mounds Hall Inaugurated
The new refurbished “ Burial Mounds Hall”, which was inaugurated at the Bahrain National Museum, on the sidelines of the 42nd meeting of the World Heritage Committee last June, welcomed its visitors last year also. The hall was redesigned and revamped thanks to generous support and sponsorship by the private sector and after strenuous efforts have been deployed. With its new design and look according to the cutting-edge world museum exhibitions techniques, reflecting the strenuous efforts deployed by Bahrain National Museum as a pioneering cultural institution to offer the latest technology to the visitors and tourists.
The project of the burial mounds’ hall innovation was sponsored by Bahrain Cinema company, Al –Muharraq Mall, Al-Seef Property, Ritaj, Bahrain Credit and United Ahli Bank. In addition, a number of artists have contributed to the sponsorship of the project, such as H.E Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain Arts Society Honorary President, Abdul Rahim Sharif, Balqees Fakhro, Abbas Al-Musawi, Ali-Al Mahmeed, H.E Shaikha Hala Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Shaikha Marwa Rachid Al-Khalifa, Shaikha Hanan Bint Hassan Al-Khalifa, Omar Al-Rachid, Zuhair Al-Saeed, Mayasa Al-Suwaidi, Adel Al-Abbasi, and Ali Hussein Mirza.
Bab al Bahrain; Beacon of Local Culture Scene
In October 2018, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities launched its weekly cultural rendez-vous series, “5.00 P.M At Bab” activities and events, which are aimed at attracting all residents and Bahrainis to enjoy their week-ends. Live culture activities are at the façade of Bab al Bahrain ( Souq’s side), whereby the public can enjoy an array of cultural events, music, crafts, artifacts, arts and foods in the heart of Bab Al-Bahrain, every Thursday at 5:00 pm, including various cultural activities from music to handicrafts, heritage, arts and food. This event is open to the public; all are invited to participate and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities seeks through this cultural program to create an attractive mesmerizing environment for all sorts of artistic and cultural activities, as well as rehabilitating this iconic area of Bab al Bahrain.
Adoption of Islamic Art Day
After strenuous efforts deployed by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, UNESCO’s Executive Board studied the proposal by Bahrain at its meeting on October 3 2018 before it is submitted to the General Conference at its 40th session. More than 35 state members supported the proposal, including Arab and Islamic countries bloc within UNESCO. Indeed, BACA has called, on 18 September 2018, on Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to adopt a resolution to proclaim November 18 of each year as International Day of Islamic Art.
