15 May 2016
H.E Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa’s Meeting With Journalists at Dar Al-Muharraq
From the heart of Muharraq, which will be celebrated as the ‘Capital of Islamic Culture 2018’, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities, held a special press conference with journalists to unveil details regarding the various aspects of BH's cultural movement at Dar Al-Muharraq. The event took place on 14 May 2016 in the presence of BACA officials and journalists to reveal the latest details of the Bahrain Summer Festival lineup, Pearl Trail project and new exhibitions celebrating Bahrain museums at the newly renovated Heritage Training and Research Centre Dar Al Muharraq.
The event, attended by Muharraq Governor Salman bin Isa bin Hindi, featured a performance by traditional Bahraini Bin Harban Band. Bahrain will also mark the completion of the Pearl Route, which will include a pedestrian bridge connecting Bu Maher Fort and Halet Bu Maher Coast.
H.E Shaikha Mai said, “I would like to say here, at Dar al-Muharraq near the ancient traditional house of Dar Jinaa, to thank all Bahraini journalists for their efforts in promoting Bahrain as a leading cultural destination. We are here today to reveal the details of the latest cultural infrastructure projects we intend to enhance and implement in the future.”
H.E added that the urban architecture has always been present in the Bahraini cultural scene with excellent achievements that entitled it to be quoted on the famous Italian architecture magazine editorial, Domus. BACA’s president also added that the Kingdom of Bahrain was the first Arab country to be awarded the Golden Lion for the best national participation at the 12th Venice Architecture Biennale in 2010. In addition, on October 30th the best pavilions of EXPO 2015 Milano was awarded and the Bahrain pavilion received the silver prize for the 2,000-square meter pavilion, while the gold prize went to France and bronze to China.
H.E Shaikha Mai also mentioned the huge national project of ‘Pearling: Testimony of an Island Economy’, saying, “The Pearl Route is a huge national project, which will be the biggest open-air museum in the Gulf, and we are proud it will be completed by 2018.”
Speaking on the support and sponsorship of cultural projects, H.E said that His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, will inaugurate Al Khamis Mosque Visitor Center during 2016 National Day celebrations, adding, “Our source of cultural pride, our National Theater, was established thanks to the generous sponsorship and support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, may God bless and protect him, and we hope to have enough funds to keep it active and leading in its role as a lighthouse to all cultures and civilizations around the world.”
H.E. Shaikha Hala bint Mohammad Al Khalifa, director of Culture & Arts Directorate, for her turn, expressed her satisfaction and thanks to the journalists present at Dar-al Muharraq, arguing that culture is by definition an open door, a borderless world of imagination and refined artistic sensations. H.E. Shaikha Hala added that the Culture & Arts Directorate is working on many events to be organized soon, such as the ‘Spitfire’ exhibition on 23 May 2016. The exhibition is in parallel with Bahrain’s celebrations commemorating the 200 year anniversary of bilateral relations between Bahrain and Britain from when the two nations signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1816. The exhibition will include a selection of heritage models and graphics celebrating the UK’s military and civil aviation involvement in Bahrain from the 1920s to present day. A World War II Super marine Spitfire, which will be assembled by Bahraini students, will be displayed outside the exhibition hall. H.E. Shaikha Hala bint Mohammad Al Khalifa added that Bahrain will also host the GCC Theater Festival next September, which reflects the importance of Bahrain as a unique meeting point for ideas, cultures and civilizations.
In addition, BACA’s Head of Architectural Affairs, Mrs. Noora Al Sayeh, has pointed out that the UNESCO World Heritage List site related projects received a boost at the beginning of this year when the Islamic Bank for Development (IBD) agreed to finance 48% of the budget allocated to this plan. Indeed, the project aims at reviving the famous genuine Bahraini pearl industry while documenting its valuable history.
Mrs. Noora Al Sayeh added that The Pearl Route, which is approximately 3km long, consists of 16 historical homes, three ‘hayrat’ (sea beds where oyster beds are found), two visitor centers, the conservation and rehabilitation of 15 historic monuments and 12 high-value buildings, four multi-storey car parks that can accommodate up to 400 cars and 18 open green public spaces. In addition, the Dar Al Muharraq project comprises the transformation of the existing Dar Jinaa in the old city of Muharraq, as well as an extension on a neighbouring plot, into a research centre for traditional folk music. BACA will also inaugurate Dar Al Riffa for intangible folk music in September 2016.
In the same context, BACA’s Heritage Preservation Advisor Dr. Alaa Al-Habashi said that Bahrain’s Authority for Culture & Antiquities is deploying strenuous efforts to revive the unique character of Muharraq’s urban architecture given that these features form a part of our collective memory and a source of our identity and pride. Examples of the projects carried out include Sheikh Salman House, Al Hidaya Al Khalifiya boy’s school, Al-Qaysariyah Suq restoration and the Pearl Trail.
With regard to the International Museum Day, Dr. Nadine Baqsmati, BACA Museums Consultant, has pointed out that Bahrain celebrates this special event every year and announced that the four museums in Bahrain, including Bahrain National Museum, Qala’at al Bahrain Site Museum, Sheikh Salman Bin Ahmad Al-Fateh Museum and Bahrain Post Museum, will allow free entries on Wednesday 18 May 2016 to celebrate National Museums Day. Indeed, Bahrain National Museum will host an exhibition, ‘INTERSECTIONS’, a temporary exhibition set up in three permanent halls (Dilmun, Tylos and Islam) and intervening with the 28 years old display. Dr. Nadine Baqsmati added that the Bahrain National Museum will also host a concert by Trio Musica Nigella in collaboration with the French Embassy in Bahrain during the International Museum Day celebrations. BACA will inaugurate Burial Mounds Hall next year, Dr. Nadine Baqsmati added.
With regard to festivals and entertainment for the whole family, Mrs. Aysha Al Sada, a BACA official, said that the Bahrain Summer Festival will kick off on 7 July 2016 and will run until 7 August. The festival will be faithful to its tradition of welcoming international, local and Arab artists and shows that will continue to keep Bahraini culture and art ablaze, adding that this year’s Nakhool Tent will be set up in the same location as Bahrain’s 17th International Book Fair. Al-Sada added that after a month of festivities and joyful events, last year’s 7th Bahrain Summer Festival concluded with more than 80,000 visitors registered.
The meeting between Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities and journalists was a special occasion to highlight the importance H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammad gives to communication and the need to consolidate bonds with the Bahraini public.
