20 March 2023
A book Launch Ceremony in celebration of the International Francophonie Day, "Qala’at Al-Bahrain Fort: The Ancient Port and Capital of Dilmun" released in French
The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities organized, on 20 March 2023, a book sign ceremony, whereby the famous “Qala’at al-Bahrain Fort: The Ancient Port and Capital of Dilmun” has now been released in French version by its editor, Dr. Pierre Lombard. The cultural beautiful event was held at Qala’at al- Bahrain Fort Site Museum, on the sidelines of the celebration of the International Day of Francophonie, in the presence of Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed. Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Culture Authority, and the French Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Mr. Jérôme Cauchard, as well as other diplomats, media figures and culture lovers in Bahrain.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that the Authority's celebration of the International Day of the French Language here, near the site of Qala’t al-Bahrain Fort reflects the depth of cultural relations between the two friendly countries, pointing out that the French archaeological mission has contributed to the discovery of the archaeological treasures of the site registered on the World Heritage List. H.E also praised Dr. Lombard's efforts in editing the book, noting his accompanying and supervising the excavation works conducted at the Qal'at al-Bahrain site for more than four decades.
His Excellency Mr. Jérôme Cauchard, for his part, expressed his thanks to the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for its constant work to strengthen cultural relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and France, stressing the importance of launching the "Qala’at al Bahrain Fort” book in French to reach the wider French speaking world.
In addition, Dr. Pierre Lombard has also reiterated the importance of releasing the French version of the book, arguing that it would certainly contribute to the promotion of the history, civilization and culture of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Moreover, Dr. Lombard has pointed out that the book contains important information related to the site of Qala’at al Bahrain Fort, the first site of Bahrain on the UNESCO World Heritage List, in addition to containing texts displayed in the Museum of the mentioned archaeological site.
Wroth to mention that the first edition of the book was published in 2016 as part of the 17th Bahrain International Book Fair. The book introduces readers and visitors to Qal’at al-Bahrain Site Museum, which is built on an area of 2,000 square meters. Indeed, in its construction design plan, the contracting company paid special attention to the museum identity, and thus, combine its international experience and features of local architecture to construct an exceptional space that combines interaction, exploration and memory of history. The Qal'at al-Bahrain site museum, which was established with the support of the Arcapita Group, is one of the most important cultural institutions in the Kingdom. The site museum safeguards the Qal'at al-Bahrain site, the first in the Kingdom of Bahrain nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, in 2005. Indeed, the museum testifies s to the importance of the archaeological site next to it, and provides protection for its historical features, as well as documents the archaeological eras that shaped the geography and make-up formation of the region as a whole.
