SPECIALLY-THEMED home museums could be turned into official tourist attractions and granted financial support, if councillors have their way.
Bahrain’s municipal councillors suggested that 100 homes housing artefacts such as coins, textiles, cooking materials and rare documents be selected for the scheme.
They have urged the Cabinet to consider the proposal as many collectors were believed to be having to sell their collections due to a shortage of funds and the expense of keeping items in mint condition.
Councillors are also planning to contact newly-appointed Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi to discuss the issue.
In 2019, Muharraq Governor Salman Bin Hindi presented a similar proposal to showcase the country’s heritage by adding homes and their collections – some reportedly dating back 200 years – to a list of tourist attractions in the governorate.
He had also urged the government to purchase one of the area’s historical properties to display rare antiquities loaned from collectors.
“There are home museums here and across the country with unique collections featuring themes such as dairy products, stationery, blacksmith, coins, stamps, documents amongst others,” said Muharraq Municipal Council financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Bassem Al Majdami.
“If 100 homes were selected then the tourism map in the country would receive a huge boost. In my opinion, collections featured in some of these private museums are more fascinating than what members of the public witness inside Bahrain National Museum,” he added.
“Unfortunately, due to the cost of living and limited space many decide to sell their belongings. Even those who keep their items in good condition acknowledge that their treasures will probably end up being sold on the cheap by inheritors.”
Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said preserving home museums would help ‘preserve the identity of the nation’.
“The government should draw up a budget to support a selected number of homes, in my opinion. Giving BD50 or BD100 is nothing compared to the expense of maintaining, cleaning and securing these valuable antiques but it would certainly help,” he said.
“Those interested in sharing their collections and opening up their homes to the public should be formally acknowledged.”
Mr Bin Hindi said earlier that some of the country’s antique collectors in Muharraq had already opened their doors to visitors at their own expense and it was time the authorities offered them financial support. He added that these people continue to contribute to tourism directly and they should have their homes listed as ‘official attractions’ and receive government support.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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