The third edition of the popular Muharraq Nights Festival officially kicked off last night, highlighting Bahrain’s rich culture within the Pearling Path.
Several venues – from Bu Mahir Fort all the way to the Pearling Museum-Sayadi Majlis – are being decked up for the event that coincides with National Day celebrations and the anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad’s accession to the throne.
Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) president Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa called the festival ‘a continuous celebration of Muharraq’s rich heritage, from its role in history as Bahrain’s first capital to being the largest pearling economy in the Gulf.’
Festivities kick off in the streets of Muharraq
“The fusion of culture, arts, heritage, and innovation revives the memory of the Pearling Path, a Unesco World Heritage site,” he added.
The festival’s launch was attended by Housing and Urban Planning Minister Amna Al Romaihi, Information Minister Ramzan Al Nuaimi, Prime Minister’s Office director-general Hamad Al Mahmeed and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority chief executive Sara Buhijji.
The festival will continue daily until December 30, from 5pm to 10pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and from 5pm to midnight from Thursday to Saturday.
Events will be held across various venues along the 3.5-kilometre-long Pearling Path in the heart of Muharraq.
For the first time, all the houses along the path will open their doors to the public, showcasing exhibitions and collections that highlight the prosperity of Bahrain’s pearling economy, in an atmosphere of culture and tradition.
Visitors will be able to wander through the historic houses, squares, and visitor centres of Muharraq, which is listed within the Unesco Creative Cities Network.
“Muharraq Nights enriches the visitor experience by providing an opportunity to engage with Bahraini heritage in a unique authentic setting,” Ms Buheji added.
Along the Pearling Path, visitors can enjoy captivating exhibitions in collaboration with artistic institutions like Al Riwaq Art Space, AlBareh Art Space, and Art Concept. Featured in these spaces are works by prominent and emerging Bahraini and international artists, including paintings, photography, and art installations.
The Path also features open-air art installations that engage more than just the sense of sight, such as ‘Salmeen Ghanmeen, ‘Homage to an Artistic Legacy’, ‘Installation: Amplified’, and the ‘Sculpture Garden’ at Badr Ghulum and Turabi Houses, as well as ‘Gold and Pearls’ by Miguel Rodriguez.
Bahrain’s intangible cultural heritage will also be showcased through its traditional crafts at Bait Al Naqda, Dar Albanaeen Gypsum & Decorations, Goldsmiths and Jewellers on Bu Mahir Avenue and Suq Al Qaysariyyah Avenue, Depaj Swords Workshop, Al Darwasa Carpentry, Bu Zaboon Antiques, and Kurar House.
Throughout the festival, Muharraq will host performances featuring music from Bahrain and around the world at venues such as Qal’at Bu Mahir, Dar Al Muharraq, Souq Block 216, Suq Barahat Fakhro, Muhammed Bin Faris Music Hall, Suq Block 213, Pearling Path Visitor Centre, and Maison Jamsheer.
For adults, the festival includes lectures, seminars, and interactive sessions with thinkers and creators from diverse fields. New to the event this year is Cinema Akil, an independent cinema platform in the UAE, which will present a curated selection of award-winning films from the Arab world and beyond.
A highlight of this year’s festival are tours, including scooter and bike rides along the Pearling Path, as well as walkthroughs at Fakhro House, Al Jalahma House and more.
Special tours combining art, storytelling, and exploration will also be available, including photography walks, sketching, and night photography, as well as storytelling around maritime tales, merchants, history and food.
For more details on the festival programme, timings, event locations, parking, and registration for specific events, visit www.pearlingpath.bh or follow Baca on social media.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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