03 April 2016
With More than 100,000 Visitors 17th Bahrain International Book Fair Closed its Doors
The 17th Bahrain International Book Fair closed its doors yesterday with more than 100,000 visitors touring its different halls over a span of eleven days. This year’s edition, which honored the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a nation with a deep-rooted and rich cultural tapestry, featured an array of cultural activities, shows and programs.
Since its beginning, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Bahrain International Book Fair has presented an exceptional image with fresh titles and new publications from over 380 publishing houses distributed over more than 450 stands over 8000 square meters covering a wide range of topics, interests, and age groups.
Set on a strategic location and surrounded by many cultural institutions, a tent was assembled in a record time in the middle of Bahrain National Theatre. The visitors could access the book fair through a 50 meter-wooden bridge connecting both locations amid beautiful scenery.
In a new initiative aimed at facilitating rapprochement between the writer and the public, a special book signing corner was set up as a daily digest for more than 12 book signing ceremonies during the show that included literature, cinema, art, music, poetry, media and history. The first book translated into Arabic was Thinking, a product of the Knowledge Transfer Project supervised by BACA. 7 more prominent books, 6 of them translated into Arabic, were launched also, while Mohammad Bin Khalifa (1813-1890) The Legend and The Parallel History, written by H.E. Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, was translated into English.
The fair’s cultural participation manifested itself this year through the guest of honor, represented by Jordan’s Ministry of Culture, who prepared an integrated cultural program which included evenings of poetry and intellectual beauty by many Bahraini and GCC writers in coordination with the BACA.
The public enjoyed a wide range of side events, from the special awards ceremonies and book signings and launches, to lectures, film screenings and music concerts, as well as fun kids’ activities. The festival of beauty and creativity started with fine arts Jordanian star Khalid Khreis and ended with a film screening on “Food is Culture” as well as the Sharjah Book Authority presented Voices from Emirates as well as a united Bahrain-Jordan music concert by Ta’a Al-Shabab.
On the 3rd day of the show, the 17th Bahrain International Book Award winning book was celebrated and was given to al-Dawayima Village by writer Hassan Abu-Sbeih. Dr. Fadhel added that the award this year is pledged to honoring writers from Palestine and Jordan and that the theme selected this year was “Archaeological Awareness and Memory of Countries”, given the importance of the collective memory of countries in its preservation. In this regard, and as part of the book fair, the Culture Awards featured three categories showcasing the many facets of cultural achievements; the Bahrain Book Award, Mohammed Al-Banki Cultural Personality of the Year, and Pearl of Bahrain Award. On April 1st, Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities granted Kuwaiti novelist Saud Alsanousi the Mohammad Al-Banki Award for Cultural Personality of the Year in its third edition. Presenting the award, chief of the authority Shaikha Mai praised Alsanousi’s accomplishments which reflected great potential for Arab youth in general.
The 17th Bahrain International Book Fair also consecrated a special Kids Corner as an opportunity for the young visitors of the fair to be filled with wonder through a full program of enriching workshops and activities and attracted more than 15,000 children. Presented by Sard Child’s Cultural House, the program revolved around the theme of "The Paper" as a focal point from which to explore the world around them, to hone their skills and expand their minds in a fun and interactive way.
There is no doubt that Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities has managed, through organizing such huge cultural shows periodically, to make Bahrain a beautiful beacon where culture, music and heritage could blossom. The 17th Bahrain International Book Fair was in total harmony with BACA’s 2016 motto ‘Bahrain Your Destination’.
Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities would like to thank all those who contributed to the outstanding success of this important cultural rendezvous; the Platinum Sponsor of the event, Al-Baddad International Group, UAE, for building the tent, Silver Sponsor, PAD company, Al-Ayyam, Al-Bilad and Al-Wasat newspapers as media partners.
