HM the King to patronise 24th Heritage Festival

Manama : The 24th Heritage Festival will kick off today under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. 

The annual event, themed “Vocal Waves from Our Bahrain”, will be held in a special tent near Bahrain National Museum, and will be open to the public from 6pm.

The festival has gained worldwide reputation and vigour since its launch in 1992, thanks to the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. 

The festival reflects King Hamad’s interest in reviving Bahrain’s long-standing heritage and protecting it from being marginalised.

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), which is organising the festival daily from 4pm to 9pm, is keen to bring to life pearl-related functions, including folklore pearling songs, shows highlighting traditions divers’ houses, in addition to pearl piercing skills. Visitors will attend four artistic works, held inside the festival’s tent, that include audio-visual shows on the divers’ lifestyles and their families. 

The stages include bidding farewell to sailors, sailing, families’ waiting for them and their return home.

The festival offers visitors a chance to see some of Bahrain’s finest craftsmen at work, including basket-weaving, pottery, handicrafts, boat-building, musical instruments’ making, jewellery, iron, wood and paper products, embroidered and crocheted goods as well as highly artistic Arabic calligraphy.

There will also be a market inside the tent with stands showcasing Bahraini products, such as coffee, dates, perfumes, water vaccine, fabrics, accessories, traditional sweets and other modern artistic Bahraini products.

Besides a tableaux of Bahraini folklore, the festival features educational shows for children, theatrical works and specialised workshops.