A PIONEERING initiative launched to teach children how to restore and preserve artefacts has been a resounding success, with a number of inquisitive youngsters lining up for the first session.
Twenty children aged between eight and 13 took part in the ‘Young Museologist’ programme, at the Bahrain National Museum, on Thursday.
The event, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca,) will continue to be held every Thursday throughout August.
The workshops aim to introduce children to museology and the role of museums and their workers in preserving the cultural heritage of nations.
Baca museums and antiquities director Dr Salman Al Mahari said the ‘overwhelming response’ to the initiative prompted the authority to open registrations for all workshops to be held later this month.
“We had to close registrations for the first workshop (for 20 children) in less than an hour,” Dr Al Mahari told the GDN.
The initiative is an extension of the ‘Little Archaeologist’ workshop, held outdoors during winter, where schoolchildren learned to excavate, restore and preserve antiquities.
“The Young Museologist programme is unique as children will learn about the activities carried out by museum workers such as recording, restoring and displaying collections, in addition to guidance through practical applications that simulates reality,” Dr Al Mahari said.
“These workshops are part of the authority’s efforts to raise community awareness about the importance of preserving archaeological heritage.
“They also aim to promote national identity as well as introduce young people to the rich history and civilisation of Bahrain.”
According to Dr Al Mahari, participating in the event gives children an opportunity to get closely acquainted with the tasks and responsibilities assigned to specialists working in the museum.
He also added that the children will receive artefacts, register and tag them by documenting comprehensive information about the piece. They will also take photographs and hand over the artefacts to specialists at the ‘Restoration Laboratory’ for maintenance and repair.
“As part of the workshop, children were also shown where pieces go – such as storage and display – as well as the duties undertaken by museum guides,” added Dr Al Mahari.
“Given the importance of this educational initiative, specialists in the museum departments were keen to take part in this weekly event to offer their knowledge and experience to young people.
“The fact that registration for the first session was closed in less than one hour is evidence that our goals of raising awareness of archaeological preservation are being achieved with parents and children.
“This will ensure that our children grow up aware and proud of their heritage while also ensuring they spare no efforts to preserve archaeological sites and artefacts found all over Bahrain.”
Dr Al Mahari also hoped such initiatives will encourage children to pursue careers in archaeology and museology.
The workshops will be held every Thursday from 9am to 11.30am throughout August with registrations open on www.culture.gov.bh
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