A colourful mix of cultural activities took centre stage last night as the Al Fareej Festival officially kicked off, bringing together young people, children and families as part of a year-round initiative celebrating Bahrain’s heritage and community spirit.
Organised by the Youth Affairs Ministry, the festival will travel across different governorates in the kingdom, transforming neighbourhoods into lively, interactive spaces where communities can come together to learn new skills.
The opening event, held at the Northern Sehla Youth Empowerment Centre, featured a wide range of activities, including traditional basket weaving, oyster shucking and pottery, as well as cooking and drawing booths, traditional games, sports and electronic games.
Ms Tawfiqi touring the event
Youth Affairs Minister Rawan Tawfiqi attended the event and toured the various activities and stalls, showing her support for the initiative and its efforts to engage young people and families through community-based experiences.
For many of those taking part, it provided an opportunity to pass on traditional skills and stories that have been preserved through generations.
Among them was 68-year-old palm weaver Abu Hilal from Karbabad, who inherited the craft from his father and grandfather.
Oyster shucking
During the event, Mr Hilal was teaching two young boys how to weave baskets, giving them the opportunity to learn a traditional skill first-hand.
“I started making these baskets and selling them back in 2005 after my wife wanted me to go out and work,” he told the GDN.
“Since then, I have been all over the world, to China, Syria and the Gulf, selling these baskets and teaching others this precious skill.
“Now, my 30-year-old son is trained in the skill and does the same craft.”
Today, Mr Hilal is keen to pass the tradition on to the next generation, making it his mission to teach children the craft. He currently shares his skills independently at Capital Mall.
He said the baskets remain particularly popular during the date harvest season and around National Day celebrations.
Events such as the Al Fareej Festival, as well as the Bahraini Farmers Market, have become an important part of his work, providing him with opportunities not only to sell his handmade baskets but also to introduce younger generations to a traditional craft that is slowly disappearing.
Mr Alasafreh making a new piece of pottery during the event
Another craftsman sharing his knowledge with festivalgoers was 45-year-old Abbas Alasafreh from A’ali, an area renowned for its long-standing clay and pottery tradition.
Mr Alasafreh began learning the craft when he was just nine years old.
“The clay is brought from Riffa and we clean it in our factory in A’ali, where it is transformed into many items including money boxes, dishes, boats and vases,” he said.
“They discovered this craft around 5,000 years ago in Bahrain. My grandfather’s grandfather started this and it is a skill that has been passed down through many generations, so we cherish it.”
The festival also highlighted another important part of Bahrain’s heritage through oyster shucking sessions, where young participants were taught how to open oysters and learn about the kingdom’s historic pearl-diving traditions.
Alongside these cultural activities, the event provided spaces for young people to explore sports, technology, creativity and wellbeing, while productive families were given an opportunity to showcase their work and projects.
By bringing these activities directly into communities, the initiative also seeks to create sustainable and recurring experiences that bring families together, preserve Bahrain’s traditions and foster a greater sense of hope and optimism for the future.
The Al Fareej Festival will continue tomorrow at the Northern Sehla Youth Empowerment Centre, running from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
Dates and venues for the festival’s upcoming phases in other governorates have yet to be announced. Further updates are expected through official channels, including the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry and the Northern Governorate’s social media platforms.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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