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Building on its previous success in major world events and culture meetings, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Archaeology held a press conference on 3 November 2015 after being honored with silver at the Expo Milano 2015 Pavilion Architecture Award presentation. H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, the kingdom's commissioner general to the Expo, presided over the conference in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Bahrain, H.E Alberto Vecchi, media figures and culture lovers.

On October 30 the EXPO 2015 Milano pavilion awards were presented and Bahrain’s 2000 square meter pavilion received the silver prize, while gold prize went to France and bronze to China. With 10 distinctive fruit gardens, the Bahraini pavilion features archaeological artifacts that celebrate the millennia-long tradition of agriculture.

Other awards were given to France for the most spectacular architectural concept and Japan was awarded for the most impressive exhibition design. Pavilions have been awarded in three different categories:

1) Best realization of the Expo’s theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’.
2) Best Architecture, Best Interior and Exhibition Design

They were also separated into 3 scales:

1) Pavilions larger than 2.000 square meters
2) Pavilions up to 2.000 square meters
3) Cluster Pavilions.

All in all 24 pavilions and activities were awarded. Only Italy, as the host country, did not participate in the evaluation. In the larger than 2.000 square meters category, Bahrain won silver in the Architecture Category. Bahrain surprised expo visitors with a plain, white and shady oasis. It not only impressed visitors and the jury, but also architects from other participant countries. Bahrain’s pavilion attracted more than 2.2 million visitors.

Commenting on the kingdom of Bahrain's pavilion Silver Prize of the Expo Milano 2015 Pavilion Architecture Award, H.E. Shaikha Mai Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA), stated that such a selection reflects Bahrain’s endeavor to shine worldwide.

H.E Shaikha Mai also expressed thanks and appreciation to H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for patronizing the event and supporting national heritage and culture. H.E added that the royal patronage reflects H.M. King Hamad's interest and dedication to heritage and culture. Shaikha Mai also expressed her profound gratitude and sincere thanks to H.R.H, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa for his constant support and encouragement, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, who led the national delegation to Milan Expo 2015.

H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa extended her thanks and appreciation to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, wife of the King of Bahrain, who supported the transfer of ‘Archaeologies of Green’ pavilion from Milan to Muharraq where it will be re-assembled and placed in front of the Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al-Khalifa House.

H.E Shaikha Mai expressed her gratitude and thanks to the Italian Ambassador to Bahrain Alberto Vecchi for his support with Bahrain's preparations and participation in Expo Milano 2015 from the beginning and also with the working team of BACA.

H.E added that, “With a sustainable architectural design, we managed to showcase our ‘Archaeologies of Green’ at a world class event, Milano Expo 2015. Out of 150 pavilions, Bahrain is the only Arab country to win the silver medal for second best pavilion at the Milan Expo in Italy.” Shaikha Mai also said, “We have added one more achievement to our unique success story once again through architecture with Milan Expo 2015 and before at the Golden Lion Venice Architecture Biennale. This anchors the good reputation of our Bahraini architecture and its ability to compete with other countries around the world as well as win awards and all the fame and respect that comes with that.”

The Italian ambassador, for his part, lauded the kingdom's achievements regarding its participation in Expo Milano 2015. The Italian ambassador said that he was looking forward to carrying out many cultural projects in the future in cooperation with BACA. H.E Ambassador Vecchi described the event as a “great opportunity for Bahrain to showcase its culture, agriculture and heritage on a global scale”.

Commissioner General Deputy and architect Mrs. Noura Al-Sayeh was very pleased that Bahrain’s Pavilion earned the Silver Prize while closely adhering to the Expo’s theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. In addition, Bahrain was the only country out of 140 to showcase traditional practices in nutrition and local food in line with the Bahrain Pavilion’s objectives to raise awareness of the kingdom’s rich heritage and agricultural history, she added.

H.E pointed out the reactions of many pavilion lovers, which were reflected through social media networks and recorded by the Italian newspaper, La Republica Corriere Della Sera and British architecture magazine Dezeen, Travel and Leisure, Wallpaper, and the Brownbook Archdaily which estimated that Bahrain’s pavilion equaled in popularity that of Britain and Japan.

Visitors to the national pavilion ‘Archaeologies of Green’ enjoyed Bahraini Arabica café on 1 October 2015, and a distinguished musical performance of the Fjiri tradition by the Qalali Group connecting audiences to Bahrain’s pearling heritage. This musical tradition, passed down through the years was, according to folklore, learned through a unique experience with supernatural forces.