29 November 2015
National Day Celebrations: Culture Authority Unveils 12 Festive Events Celebrating Art, Music and Bahrain’s Historical Heritage
Bahrain is in a festive mood. The Culture Authority celebrates month long National Day and Accession Day occasions in style with an array of 12 colorful events. BACA celebrates the 42nd National Day on the 16th of December and the 14th Accession day to the throne by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa on the 17th of December this year starting form 15 -23 December 2015.
H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, president of Bahrain Culture & Archaeology Authority, said that “during our kingdom’s National Day celebrations, culture should be present and reflect, with beautiful colors, the celebration of Accession day to the throne by His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa. We should always strive to sail to new horizons with love and hope through our best creative productions in music, art and literature.” H.E added, “Culture should always be present in all that we say and do, a bridge connecting Bahrain to the rest of the world, thus our celebrations should start the New Year with a welcoming smile and attitude for cultural tourists and visitors, signaling Bahrain as a unique destination in the region.”
The first National Day celebration event will be cultural with ‘Manama Nuit Blanche’ activities and events at the National Museum starting with a lecture by Dr. Lisa Urkevich and Mr. Neil van der Linden. The lecture will be followed by a selection of traditional Bahraini music pieces and songs before moving to the Cultural Hall where a concert performed by the French Orchestra and Bahrain’s Music Group will entertain the audience.
Events will continue with a book signing of Atyaff, a biography by the deceased Bahraini writer Abdulrahman Rafia. Also a film screening of The Sleeping Tree, by Bahraini producer Mohammad Bu Ali will be presented. The public will also have the chance to discover the varied historical halls of the national museum. The program ends the day with a music performance by Ta’a al-Shabab harmony music group playing “Tala’at ya mahla nourha” at sunrise. The public will enjoy the calm and romantic view while sipping their coffees at Darseen cafeteria.
Bahrain festivities will kick off on December 17th and coincides with the Accession Day decreed by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. It will be referred to as Martyrs’ Day in homage to the martyrs whose names and sacrifices will remain milestones in Bahrain's history. Bahrain Culture & Archeology will plant 100 Rasji flowers at the Art Center’s outside garden.
18 December 2015 will be dedicated to celebrating Arabic Language Day at the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage. The theme this year is “Arabic language and its Scholars”.
After more than two months of promoting 21 heritage sites all around Bahrain, the final draw of winners of the e-cultural tourism passports will be rewarded at the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage at the end of this festive day and this will give way to lovers of music with a performance on 18 December by the Mohamed bin Faris. They will be performing an Eid concert at the Cultural Hall. The Mohamed bin Faris band will be accompanied by the Moroccan musical Lay Ali Al Nagham group performing Arab Andalusia music.
Celebrating ‘Our Year of Heritage’, the slogan of Bahrain Culture & Archaeology Authority, will inaugurate on 19 December “Little India in Bahrain” near the Manama Suq and Hindu Temple. The temple dates back 200 years and is where the Indian community’s contribution to the history of Bahrain is documented and the relationship between the two countries is highlighted. This project will give back to the Indian community while being an attraction site for locals and tourists. Do not miss the project’s festive launch with a taste of India through song, dance, food and crafts.
Bahrain Culture & Archaeology Authority is also planning a special celebration event to support the museum and education exhibitions at Al-Hidaya Khalifiya School on 20 December.
Bahrain National Museum will be at the centre of attention during the inauguration ceremony of an exhibition Magnificent Maharajahs Splendor of Indian Royal Costumes on 21 December. The exhibition will display a collection of historic royal costumes from the private collection of Deepak & Daksha Hutheesing, alongside revival pieces using the same millennia-old techniques by Umang Hutheesing, in a bid to ensure the continuation of a rich textile heritage.
On 22 December 2015, Bahrain Culture & Archaeology Authority will hold a press conference to announce the 2016 series of events’ programme themed under ‘Bahrain is Your Destination’.
The final cultural events organized during National Day celebrations will be on 23 December with Bahrain’s Police Music Band parade during the inauguration of the Post Office (History and Documentation) at Bab-al Bahrain post office building. The historical post office in Manama is situated directly behind Bab Al Bahrain, which is considered a major cultural landmark and gateway to the old city of Manama where many social, cultural and economic activities have been carried out for decades.
