Bahrain witnessed a grand celebration of its rich culture and heritage as the spectacular Muharraq Nights Festival kicked off at the Pearling Path Visitors Centre last night.
The opening ceremony, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) and the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, was attended by Baca president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and other senior officials.
The dignitaries were given a tour of the Pearling Path, a Unesco Heritage Site, which was donned in red and white as traditional music reverberated in the neighbourhood.
They also toured the Visitors Centre which will feature a mini-suq as well as live music by various groups during the 10-day festivities.
A Bahraini woman preparing a traditional treat
“I am so happy the Muharraq Nights Festival is back,” said Shaikh Khalifa.
“This is one of the highlights of the year, and I always look forward to seeing what is in store,” he added.
“The people of Muharraq never disappoint and this year has been no different. This is an important event that helps preserve our culture and traditions for, hopefully, generations to come.”
Shaikh Khalifa interacted with artists and musicians at the event, giving them words of praise and encouragement.
Shabab Al Hidd band performs at the event
Visitors were also taken on a tour of the Suq Al Qaysariyah, Amarat Fakhro, the Archaeologies of Green Pavilion, and other venues that have been prepared for the occasion.
Fireworks briefly lit up the sky in celebration of National Day weekend.
The festival includes exhibitions and workshops on art, design, fashion and crafts, as well as music, traditional games, food and tours.
It will take place across the historic neighbourhoods of Muharraq across the Pearling Path, from the Visitors Centre all the way to the Siyadi Majlis in the north of the area.
Several alleyways and buildings have been adorned with colourful paintings and drawings by local artists from Muharraq and across the country.
An art exhibition, ‘Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy’, will highlight the country’s history with pearl diving, which began 5,000 years ago.
A workshop on ‘Greener and Sustainable Cities in Bahrain’ will be held at Fusoos Square to highlight initiatives such as ‘Forever Green’, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of trees and public spaces and promote the transition towards a more sustainable urban system.
The Design Majlis, an initiative for nurturing Bahrain’s design ecosystem through cultural, social, and educational activities, will bring together professionals and enthusiasts for insightful conversations on architecture, design, storytelling, branding, and conservation. It will be held at the Jamsheer House from today.
Painting a Bahraini flag
Handicraft workshops relating to gypsum decorations, goldsmiths, carpentry, swords and more will be held in a bid to promote and conserve the traditional craft.
There will also be a Children’s Creativity Corner which will allow young ones to discover the rich history of Muharraq through engaging activities such as painting, string art, and sketching.
Children having fun
“Every edition has been getting better and everyone has outdone themselves yet again,” Shaikh Khalifa said after the tour.
“People have come together to make this possible, and I am confident visitors from all over the country will enjoy what the event has to offer,” he added.
The festival will be held until December 23 from 5pm to 10pm daily.
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