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H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, president of Authority for Culture & Antiquities (BACA), has paid tribute to celebrated Bahraini writer Khalid Hamad Suleiman Al-Bassam who died on 10 November 2015, leaving an array of literary books as his legacy. Mr. Al-Bassam was an important keystone of the cultural scene in Bahrain and his works are celebrated and considered among the best creative writings masterminded by one of the most prominent modern writers.

H.E Shaikha Mai has mourned the loss of the Bahraini writer saying that “the deceased Khalid Al-Bassam’s dedication to literature and culture throughout his short life will remain as one of the most prominent keystones of the intellectual and cultural scene in Bahrain. His beloved country will never forget his contribution, dedication, and devotion to literary masterpieces and writings. The late writer believed in the capacity of words to communicate and reach universal values shared by all; as they say, writers never die, they just keep revising the ending.” H.E added that the Culture Authority has never failed with their efforts to support and encourage writers, artists and creative young talents who epitomize the memory of a place, Bahrain, in their creative works.

It is worth mentioning that the late writer has authored more than 32 books in history, literature and journalism. He was awarded the GCC Creativity Award on 15 October 2015 in Doha, Qatar together with media figure Parween Habib and Adnan Al-Rachid. He was honored in 2014 by Al-Khoja Cultural Foundation in Saudi Arabia. He won first place in a referendum held for Bahrain's favorite columnists in July 1999. H.E described the deceased as one of the top novelists and journalists in Bahrain, who was co-founder and chief editor of many publishing houses. He also contributed to the renaissance of Bahraini literature and defended its causes through his writings.

H.E noted the deceased's numerous contributions to raising interest in the cultural affairs inside and outside Bahrain. His works included cultural, literary, media and press, as well as historical areas which were widely received and enjoyed. His books, Bay of Tales published in 1993 and Shock of Friction published in 1998, were two of the most popular books in the United Kingdom, according to Arab newspapers in London.

The late writer first began his work in the journalistic field in 1981, amassing rich literary and cultural experience which reflects the development of the cultural, literary and journalistic movement in the country. Among his novels we mention, Those Days, Men from Pearl Islands, Gulf of Stories, Memories’ Harbour, Tales from Bahrain, Women of Old Days, O Time of the Gulf !, Jabbering Over Dijla River, Dairies of Exile and The Good Nejdi.