Media Center

As part of its strategy to develop and enhance the cultural infrastructure in the Kingdom, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities is keen to follow up with its strategy and work plan to develop the cultural infrastructure in the Kingdom of Bahrain based on the protection of the cultural and architectural heritage, taking into consideration all elements of sustainable development tools. This will be manifested during “ Our Year of Archaeology 2017” through the launch of two revolutionary projects; “Dar Al-Riffa Al Oda” in East Riffa area and “Bani Jamrah Naseej Factory” in Bani Jamra Village. These two wonderful exceptional cultural heritage stories will complete BACA’s challenging endeavour to preserve the national heritage treasures and invite the whole world to enjoy and share, making Bahrain a very pleasant place to visit and enjoy the different heritage and historical venues.

In this regard, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities is working on the development and inauguration of the Dar Al-Riffa Al Oda. The project comprises the conservation and rehabilitation of the existing Dar in the old neighbourhood of East Riffa as well as an extension on a neighbouring plot, and accommodates a larger performance hall and residency spaces. The new Dar Al Riffa enhances the intangible heritage of Riffa, and the folk singing that is specific to this area of Bahrain. Designed by the Belgian architecture firm, Office Kersten Geers David Van Severen in collaboration with Emaar, the Dar Al Riffa Al Oda project comprises the conservation and rehabilitation of the existing Dar in the old neighborhood of East Riffa as well as an extension on a neighbouring plot, which will accommodate a larger performance hall, as well as sleeping quarters. The new Dar Al Riffa Al Oda will enhance the intangible heritage of Riffa, and the folk singing that is specific to this area of Bahrain. The extension is a three- storey building enveloped with a steel mesh, which also acts as a cooling device shading the building from direct sunlight. The mesh can be lifted on the ground floor, opening it up directly to the street and reinforcing its role as an open majlis to the city. Designed according to a similar design as the Muharraq Dar Jinaa majlis the two dars will help in creating a network of Dars across Bahrain and work towards revitalizing the folk singing traditions and making them more accessible to visitors and tourists.

Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities is planning to launch a new challenging cultural sustainable project aiming at preserving the traditional universal heritage of Bahrain. Indeed, the new Bani Jamrah Naseej Factory, designed by the Leopold Banchini, seeks to revitalize the century-old craft of textile weaving in the village of Bani Jamrah. The project is conceived as an open- air roof structure that provides the required shading for the textile weaving activities, while acknowledging their informal nature. The project will also provide a sales and merchandising centre that will help in promoting and selling the products of the textile weaving to both tourists and visitors. The project will also act as a community centre and play area for the whole village, adding some needed green public space to the village. Working on looms in Bani Jamrah and Jasra, Bahrain’s fabric weavers inherit the trade from father to son, producing lengths of cloth to turn to irdeh, a black abbaya with lines of red and gold worn by women from rural areas, or the well-known wezar, worn around the waist by men. Today, the craftsmen produce a multitude of items. In addition to traditional wear, scarves in varying colors are available for customization. While weaving, the craftsmen uses both his hands and legs and distributing and overlapping the threads into each other in a systematic and coordinated manner.

In addition, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities is working in close cooperation and coordination with the concerned authorities to inaugurate this project, inviting the local civil society and other associations and institutions to participate in the implementation of this cultural sustainable project. The new project will enhance economic development of the area, enhancing Bahrain’s position as a regional and international cultural and historical centre.