A new book that sheds light on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and highlights efforts to revive traditional crafts in Bahrain has been released.
The English-language Bahrain Crafts is a collaboration between Bahraini cultural researcher Shaikha Mariam bint Hisham Al Khalifa and French photographer Harald Gottschalk.
It tells the story of traditional Bahraini crafts in four main chapters: Crafts related to the sea; Crafts practiced on land; Ornamental crafts; and Crafts for ceremonies and celebrations.
The 224-page, hardcover volume includes details of traditional dhows, fishing nets, basketry, home furnishings, pottery and architectural carvings, intricate jewellery and ceremonial items.
The cover of the book
It also features a collection of historical photos and newly-taken pictures, creating a distinctive blend that tells the story of the crafts between the past and present.
“The publication of Bahrain Crafts underscores the growing interest in preserving our cultural heritage and traditional crafts, which are an essential part of our national identity and intangible cultural heritage,” said Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who has also written the foreword in the book.
“There is a certain beauty that can be found in all handmade objects, as they serve as a testament to a people’s culture and history as experienced today.”
Shaikh Khalifa added that by publishing the book Baca aims to highlight different Bahraini crafts and share the stories of artisans who have contributed to preserving these traditions.
Shaikha Mariam, who specialises in traditional fashion and textiles, has a decade of experience in studying and collecting objects, while Mr Gottschalk has extensive experience in the field of photography having participated in more than 60 solo and collective exhibitions throughout his career in France and abroad.
The book has been published by New York-based Assouline in collaboration with Baca.
“The creation of this collaborative environment brings together craft, art and design, contributing to opportunities for creativity and development,” said a Baca statement yesterday.
The book is available at the gift shops of the Bahrain National Museum and the Qal’at Al Bahrain Site Museum, as well as at the Made in Bahrain shops at Al Jasra Crafts Centre and Bab Al Bahrain, in addition to the official Assouline website, assouline.com, and its stores worldwide.
A map of Bahrain featured in the book
Assouline Publishing was founded in 1994 in France with the aim of creating a new and contemporary style in the creation of cultural books, using attractive visual elements and rich narratives.
Since its inception, the publishing house has published approximately 1,700 works, in addition to producing many special editions.
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