22 September 2022
Curtain Fell on the 4th Intangible Cultural Heritage Forum
The Fourth Intangible Cultural Heritage Forum ended, on 21 September 2022 at the Flexible Theatre in the Bahrain National Theatre. During a two day-program the forum shed lights on four intangible heritage elements, in the presence of number of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities officials, cultural and media figures, and those interested in cultural matters of Bahrain.
During the second day, the discussion sessions highlighted two intangible cultural heritage elements in the Kingdom of Bahrain, namely traditional music (Al Sout Art), and Children Festivities.
In addition, in his intervention, Mr. Mubarak Al-Ammari discussed the origins of the Sout art of sound and its beginnings, and shed light on the recordings of the Sout art in Bahrain since 1929 with the late artist Muhammad Zuwaid. He pointed out that the art of sout has different names and types, stressing that each artist had his own mark. Mr. Al-Ammari mentioned also some of the best music compositions, creative rhythms and melodies by Bahraini artists such as Mohammed bin Faris, noting that the artist's career is full of achievements, such as new music compositions. The Mohammed bin Faris Troupe performed, during this session, various types of traditional arts such as Saut, Basteh, Khamari and other folk songs.
During the second session of the forum, children's celebrations were discussed, whereby Mr. Muhammad Jamal dealt with children’s lullabies, which reflect many social traditions and are a means of conveying traditional stories in Bahrain. For her part, Dr. Dhia Al-Kaabi focused on the folk traditional imaginative mind and how it is reflected in popular literature. Dr. Al Kaabi also stressed the importance of the scientific documentation of this oral heritage, whether stories, songs and celebrations, taking into account digital technological tools. Al-Kaabi also displayed the works of her students in documenting and collecting folklore.
As for the artist, Mrs. Huda Abdullah, during her speech, she addressed the popular children's songs, considering them a heritage treasure. She also pointed out to the implications of these popular songs, noting that work must be done to transmit them through various means in order to enhance the local national identity.
On its first day, the Fourth Intangible Cultural Heritage Forum shed light on Al-Murada, Wedding Festivities. It is worth mentioning that Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities launched the first edition of the Intangible Heritage Forum in 2019 through a series of lectures that shed light on important elements of intangible heritage. The forum aims to highlight a number of topics including the importance of preserving and protecting intangible cultural heritage through enhancing interaction with the public regarding cultural heritage in general.
Among the most prominent objectives for the Fourth Forum is to highlight the role of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Bahraini society, enrich scientific research regarding cultural heritage in accordance with definitions and obligations mentioned in the UNESCO Convention of 2003, and promote projects undertaken by the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and its efforts to preserve the continuity of the Intangible Heritage.
