BAHRAIN will be hosting a range of events to celebrate International Museum Day, observed globally on May 18.
Set by the International Council of Museums in 1977, this day aims to raise awareness of the importance of museums in the development of societies.
The special occasion also provides an opportunity for museum professionals to communicate with members of the public and alert them about the challenges facing museums.
The events will be organised at the Bahrain National Museum in Manama and Qala’at Al Bahrain Site Museum in Karbabad. Both venues will also be welcoming visitors without entry fees from May 18 to 20.
* Organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, celebrations in the kingdom begin on Saturday, with the Best Picture of the Museum Competition for those aged between seven and 15. The contest, at both museums, will go on until May 20. On the same day at 10am, a Let’s Draw a Popular Proverb Workshop has been organised at the national museum for those aged nine to 12. A Draw an Artefact Workshop will be held for adults simultaneously at both locations, giving visitors the chance to draw selected artefacts using tools available at the two sites.A free movie screening of the Bollywood film Mohenjo Daro will be held the same day at Qal’at Al Bahrain, starting 7pm. A Sunrise at the Museum Photo Walk has been scheduled at the national museum on May 19, starting 4am. At 5pm, a cultural tour of the same museum has been arranged, followed by a Scavenger Hunt at 6pm. All three events are open to adults. The final event of the day will be held at Qal’at Al Bahrain with a Sunset at the Fort Photo Walk, starting 5pm.
* On May 20, a Beach and Breakfast event has been organised at Qala’at Al Bahrain, starting 9am, for all age groups. Meanwhile, the Spirit of Heritage in a Photo Workshop begins at the national museum at 10am for all ages. Children aged between seven and 12 can attend three workshops – Our Museum on a Jar, Snake Bowls and Dilmunian Burial Mounds Workshop – which will run simultaneously at Qal’at Al Bahrain, starting 4.30pm. Meanwhile, the national museum will host four workshops at the same time for the same age group – The Epic of Gilgamesh Workshop; Write in Cuneiform; Make your Stone Age Equipment; and Accessories of Tylos Workshop. A Water Springs Discovery Tour has been organised at the same time near Qal’at Al Bahrain for all age groups and a cultural tour of the museum begins at 5pm for adults followed by a Scavenger Hunt titled ‘Who am I?’ starting 6pm for those aged seven to 10. The Legend of a Museum Storytelling session will take place at the national museum from 5pm and children aged between seven and 12 can take part. At 7pm, a book discussion on Bahraini Proverbs Depicted by Cartoon Scribbles has been lined up for those aged 18 and above.
* On May 21 and 22, a Doors and Content Tour will be held at 9am for adults at the national museum, while a Coins Through Culture and History Exhibition opens to the public on May 22 at 4pm. The exhibit will remain open until June 22. The final event will take place on May 24 at Bahrain University with a panel discussion focused on Sustainability and Well-Being in the Future of Museums at 11am; open to adults.
For more information and registration, visit culture.gov.bh
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