THREE new monuments are set to be erected in the area surrounding Bahrain’s oldest prehistoric settlement which dates back to between the first and third millennium BC.
A’ali Royal Burial Mounds are considered the crown jewels of Dilmun Burial Mounds, acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as a World Heritage Site in 2019.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak has given a proposal by the Northern Municipal Council to erect the three monuments the go ahead.
However, he explained in writing, that the nature and size of the monuments would have to be subject to traffic and view assessments that will be conducted by the Works Ministry.
“The three monuments, as proposed, would be located on three internal roundabouts in A’ali which we believe would give the prestigious area even more prominence with proper colourful spotlighting,” said Mr Al Mubarak.
“But, the nature and size will be dependent on traffic and view assessments. We don’t want the monuments to be detrimental to traffic flow or risk causing accidents. That is why the Works Ministry needs to get involved in the project each and every step of the way.”
He added that the project would also have to wait until the necessary funding was made available.
A BD85,000 replica replaced the famous Pottery Monument after the original one opposite Ramli Mall was bulldozed to pave way for an expansion of Shaikh Zayed Highway.
Both designs for the original and the slightly-altered replica were carried out by Bahraini artist Mohsin Al Taitoon.
Area councillor Abdulla Ashoor believes many local artists would be interested in helping to design, sculpt and construct the trio of new statues and they could be inspired by recent developments in the community.
The site falls within the Northern Governorate area recently recognised as a ‘healthy city’ by the World Health Organisation.
“A’ali makes implementing any concept easy as the area’s illustrious transition from a prehistoric settlement to the modern ‘healthy city’ it is now,” said Mr Ashoor.
“The area’s famed pottery profession has already been tackled, so the new monuments could have a completely different theme, perhaps on brotherhood, unity and diversity,” he suggested.
“We will sit with officials from the Northern Municipality and the Works Ministry to determine the best course of action. This could be handled by local established artists directly or through a competition to inspire the next generation of young artists. The area is culturally rich and there are many stories to be told.”
He added that the suggested installations were the three roundabouts on A’ali Avenue, from the pottery area entrance to the A’ali-Buri underpass.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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