Shopkeepers in the kingdom’s Old Manama Suq have been provided with traditional decorations and flash drives containing national songs to play out loud on smart speakers.
The aim is to make the area even more festive as Bahrain kicks off its 53rd National Day celebrations today.
Thousands of families are set to flock to the popular market and tourist attraction as part of the traditional holiday activities to pick up bargains and soak up the atmosphere. “We have prepared for National Day celebrations to be as grand as possible by providing shopkeepers with the necessary decorations,” Manama Old Suq Committee vice-chairman Mahmoud Al Namlaity told the GDN.
“They have been given flags and scarves, and we also provided them with flash drives containing Bahraini national songs that they can play as the streets of the suq fill with hundreds of visitors and customers.”
He also recorded his thanks to the Capital Trustees Board and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities for their assistance and support and pointed out that during the holiday period, with the anticipated increase in footfall, making the suq as attractive as possible was ‘even more crucial’. The area will be adorned with festive lights and Bahraini flags.
“The suq is not only a major landmark in the kingdom, but throughout the region. It is an important ancient market with historical value, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and customs,” he said, adding that he is always proud to watch the country glow red on National Day.
“We have to remember that we don’t just get Bahraini visitors, but we get people from all around the world, including neighbouring Gulf countries, and as far away as the Philippines, India, Germany and the US, so it is important that we make the celebrations as special and festive as possible.
“We will distribute merchandise such as hats, scarves, flags, bunting and more so that people can wear them and parade around the streets. During this season, red fabrics are always in high demand. There will also be traditional Bahraini food such as halwa and hares, and the celebrations will be enriched by folk bands and cannons.”
The area damaged in a fatal blaze in the suq last June has also been made safe.
Situated in the kingdom’s capital, in between the older parts of the city and the central business district, the main entrance to the market and shops is through the historic Bab Al Bahrain building.
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