Heritage festival opens eyes to golden past

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The 28th Bahrain Heritage Festival opened by Deputy Prime Minister His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on behalf of HM the King is offering Bahrain a unique glimpse into the golden heritage of the Kingdom.

First launched in 1992, the festival this year returns after a two-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Activities this year under the theme “Our Golden Heritage” will be from the 7th to 9th and 14th to 16th of this month.

Inaugurating the festival, Shaikh Mohammed had said, “The return of the festival represents a qualitative addition to the cultural scene in Bahrain and a support for cultural development.”

Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities President Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Muharraq Governor Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai, high-level diplomats, cultural stakeholders and media were present at the opening ceremony.

Sheikha Mai described the Heritage Festival as a source of joy, expressing her happiness at its return. The festival, she said, presents traditional crafts in a way that ensures their revival.

“Preserving Bahraini heritage and ensuring its transmission to future generations is a national responsibility, said Shaikha Mai, highlighting the need to preserve the ancient crafts and history.

The Heritage Village at Arad Fort is turning out as a meeting place for loved ones during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Events

Arabic Calligraphy, weaving, shipbuilding, gypsum engravings, sword making, ink industry, pottery, metalworking, handicrafts, and hidden box manufacturing are some of the attractions at the festival.

Educational workshops and entertaining activities for children and young people aged 6 to 15 years are also part of the festival.

Bahraini Cuisine

Throughout the festival, the heritage village showcases the nutritional diversity of Bahraini cuisine by offering popular dishes and local drinks.

The village market has Bahraini gold shops that display designs inspired by Bahraini heritage for sale and purchase.

Folk band

There are also Bahraini folk band performances. On April 7: Galali Troupe for Folklore, April 14: Shabab Al Hadd Troupe, April 15: Dar Shabab Al Riffa Ensemble, April 16: Dar Bin Harban Troupe.

Workshops

Several workshops are on the way. On April 7: Ramadan lantern making workshop with face painting, April 8: Ramadan-inspired drawing session and face colouring, April 9: Traditional jewellery with mosaics and writing children’s names in Arabic calligraphy, April 14: Workshop on Good Business Tree and Face Painting, April 15: Workshop on Make Your Prey and Face Painting and April 16: Workshop on Folk Costume Design on Stones and writing children’s names in Arabic calligraphy.