Documentary on Yemeni heritage screened at ARCWH

Manama: The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARCWH) screened a documentary on the history of the frankincense route going from Oman through Yemen at their Juffair headquarters on Wednesday. Around 30 people arrived at the ARCWH to watch the documentary in French to mark the centre’s celebration of Francophonie in Bahrain this week.

In the documentary, French journalist Nicolas Hulot follows the ancient incense route, traced along the Yemeni desert. Accompanied by architect Pascal Marshals, he goes in search of a civilisation built around frankincense trade. Highly valued for its antiseptic, frankincense was an essential substance for religious ceremonies, thought to ward away negative spirits.

Vincent Plu, Vice Principal of the French School in Bahrain, said he has been working alongside the centre to “discover world heritage.”

“I very much enjoyed the documentary screening tonight; the flower-men, especially, were incredible. Nowadays it’s so surprising to see men wearing flowers, which is considered a feminine accessory in today’s world. The contrast of beauty, gentleness and warrior-
like attitude of the tribes-men was truly something to behold!”

“The Yemeni desert was reminiscent of massive trails of mustard, consisting of yellowish ripples that went on for miles.  It was truly an extraordinary documentary filled with tremendous and mesmerising landscapes,” he added.

Pascal Gueyle, cultural advisor for ARCWH, thanked the guests for coming and expressed happiness in seeing such a great turnout of
people at the documentary screening.

He extended an open invitation to the public to attend a monthly screening (in English), of different cultural heritages that will
be unveiled throughout the year.