Bahrain celebrates International Day for Monuments and Sites today

TDT | Manama                                                   

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Efforts to enhance the status of archaeological sites in the Kingdom of Bahrain are in full swing. This comes as Bahrain joins the world in celebrating the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which is observed on April 18 every year.

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) expressed keenness to promote the Kingdom’s history and its significance locally and regionally by introducing to the public innovative programmes.

It also pointed out the role of the local community in preserving and maintaining the wellbeing of the archaeological sites. BACA President Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that celebrating Bahrain’s cultural sites does not only include focusing on the historical, aesthetic and cultural values they bear, but rather it should be an opportunity to shed light on the challenges and threats they face.

He explained that BACA is developing a strategy for the sustainability and preservation of these sites for future generations.

Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed added that it is important for everyone in Bahrain to work together to protect those sites and ensure their survival as a source of cultural and historical pride for the country and the world.

The BACA head stressed their importance and ability to be a tributary of the tourism industry, attract visitors to the Kingdom and contribute to the renaissance of Bahrain. Celebrated under the theme “Heritage Changes”, the International Day for Monuments and Sites 2023 aims to cast light on the changing nature of the heritage sites and the need for innovative approaches to manage and preserve them.

The event also underscores the importance of acknowledging contribution of diverse communities surrounding the sites and the need to take their opinion into consideration in decision making.