- 3 2012

Issue 3 - April 2012

The Cultural Newsletter of the Ministry of Culture

Culture

The Spring of Culture

revives Bahrains Cultural Landscape

The Capital of Arab Culture 2012, Manama, greeted the annual

programme of the Spring of Culture with open arms. The diverse
programme entertained local audiences for over a month and
included poetry recitals in addition to theatrical and musical
performances and speaking engagements. The ensuing cultural
dialogue engaged all age groups and attendance throughout March
and April was very high.

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Amongst the most notable performances were Julio Iglesias

concerts, which took place over two consecutive nights with the
backdrop of Bahrains historic landmark, Arad Fort. Sold out very
quickly, these performances represented Iglesias first concerts in
the Arabian Gulf region. Similarly, esteemed Arab classical singer,
Um Kalthoum was remembered through the voice of Egyptian
singer, Riham Abdul Hakim in another evening musical performance
while contemporary African singers, Anjelique Kidjo and Asa were
heralded during an electrifying appearance at Arad Fort. But the
most spectacular of events was renowned opera singer, Andrea
Bocellis debut in Bahrain on the grounds of the Bahrain National
Museum. Bahraini talent was also showcased throughout the
Spring of Culture and included a special performance by Bahraini
band, Osiris. Theatrical events attracted much attention as well and
including the Egyptian portrayal of The Greatest Street and Jody
Sperlings cultural dance performance.
In line with the varied programme of the Spring of Culture and
the Capital of Arab Culture, politics and the literary arts were the
domain of the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research as
guest speakers included Samih Qasem. Children were not excluded
from the varied events and a number of different shows entertained
the different age groups amongst which were performances by
Tap Dogs, Tom Tom Crew, Dan Zanes & Friends and the Kennedy
Centres musical play, Knuffle Bunny.
Bahraini arts were reflected further through multiple youth
engagements in Bohemia amongst which was an extraordinary
exhibition entitled, I am the Other, and another, which was also
very popular and entitled, Stations. Shedding light on an otherwise
obscure cultural exchange, these engagements were important
presentations to the world.

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Ministry of Culture efforts awarded with ISO accreditation
The Ministry of Culture awards its staff

The Ministry of Cultures recent accreditation with the International

Quality Management System, the ISO 9001:2008, is a reflection
of the Ministrys long term investment in its staff and cultural
advancement.
The accreditation reveals the importance the Ministry accrues
international definitions and standards as in order to be granted
this award the Ministry successfully demonstrated its ability to
consistently provide products which met customer and applicable
statutory and regulatory requirements. Moreover, the Ministry
of Cultures projects and programmes are underpinned by an
understanding of the value and importance of customer satisfaction
in the enhancement of cultural debate and exchange. The Ministry
looks to further advances in the future and a continuation of its
efforts in the field of culture.
On the occasion of the Ministry of Cultures accreditation with the
International Quality Management System, the ISO 9001:2008, staff
efforts were commended and staff members awarded.
HE Shaikha Mai, Minister of Culture
Increased investment in culture is only possible by excelling in
management practices.
Dr Abdullah Sulaiti, Head of Archaeology and Heritage Directorate
These staff awards reflect the high-quality performance of personnel
and combined team efforts.
Huda Al Alawi, Public Relations Advisor and Acting Head of Public
Relations Division
The Ministrys accreditation comes as no surprise as since I first
joined the Ministry in 2006, I have witnessed the immense staff
efforts and complementary coordination under the umbrella of the
Ministrys overarching mission. I hope we continue to attain further
accreditations.
Yusif Bumatea, Head of Operations at Bahrain National Museum
The quality in terms of work deliverables is reflected in the ISO
accreditation.
Abdelqader Aqeel, Culture and Arts division Manager
We were really pleased to have participated in this celebratory
event which combined some of the best minds at the Ministry and
whose efforts have facilitated this accreditation. HE Shaikha Mais
guidance has been indispensible, leading our direction and enabling
our work to shine within the cultural sphere both within Bahrain and
the region.

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The Tunisian Spring flourishes in the Capital of Arab Culture
through the 15th Bahrain International Book Fair

From 22nd March until 1st April, the Tunisian Spring was embraced
within the realms of the 15th Bahrain International Book Fair, and as
part of the cultural exchange programme of Manama, the Capital of
Arab Culture 2012.
Tunisian thought, tastes and flavours were ever-present through the
myriad books, sellers and musical renditions. Visitors to the book
fair enjoyed a unique opportunity to learn about this fertile country
as they had the rare pleasure of musical performances typical of
the Maghreb region to the distinguished melodies of an Eastern
orchestra. Shehrazad Hilal and Rehab Alsaghier joined renowned
conductor, Kamal Alfirgani, in a recital of Tunisian classics while
Saleh Amri exhibited a selection of his art.
In addition, film viewings brought Tunisian history and contemporary
experiences to life. The first documentary, directed by Hajer bin
Nasr, shed light on the trajectory of one of Tunisias most-famed
poets, Abu Qasim Al-Shaby. Over the span of the fair, other
notable films included, The Live Desert, which was directed by
Nedhal Shatta and The Old City of Tunis, directed by Mahmood bin
Mahmood. Intellectual dialogue continued with a lecture on the Arab
Spring and the position of Arab culture vis--vis the role of culture in
development and growth.
Tunisias literary stars came together with their local counterparts
in a number of lively discussions which brought together Magdy
bin Isa, Albahri Al-Irafawi, Fatima bint Mahmood and Mohammed Al
Khalidi while other prominent writers debated Tunisian art and the
intellectual movement.

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Book Fair

The 15th Bahrain International Book Fair held this year was
amongst the most important book fairs both within the region
and beyond as over 70,000 visitors made an appearance
and over 10,000 students from 160 local schools entered its
walls. Publishers were so impressed that many called for the
International Book Fair to be held on an annual basis, rather
than the current two-year cycle. Whereas in its 14th term the
Bahrain International Book Fair in 2010 hosted Morocco, this
year the guest of honour was Tunisia.

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Interview with Ms Yemeena Almarwani
Organiser of Tunisia exhibition during the 15th Bahrain International Book Fair

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Interview with Ms Yemeena Almarwani Organiser of Tunisia

exhibition during the 15th Bahrain International Book Fair
Can you describe your participation in the book fair?
Its important to note that the Bahrain International Book Fair this year
takes place at the same time as two other book fairs in the region the
Abu Dhabi and Riyadh fairs. Still, we tried to ensure that our participation
was diverse, reflecting our different cultural influences and interests. As
such, although a number of publishers could not attend the Bahrain Book
Fair, alongside some translators and writers, they sent a representative
and a variety of books to showcase. Our exhibition accordingly features
31 Tunisian publishing houses.
What does Tunisias participation consist of in terms of cultural
effects?
We attempted to highlight our culture and dialogue as much as possible
in our stands and have included the publications of the Tunisian Ministry
of Culture, the most important of which is the series, The Mother of
Books. This series of cultural representations is wholly undertaken by the
Ministry of Culture. Content ranges from literature to religion and social
challenges and reforms, all of which is collated, researched and verified
by the Ministry before sending for printing. Different generations of public
figures are also introduced, some of whom have comprised Albashir
Kharif, Mustafa Kharif, Mahmood Almasaady, Altaher Alhaddad and
Ahmed Ibn Abi Dhaif. In addition, the entire collection of Ibn Khuldoons
work is available. Another set of books available is the Memory
and Inspiration series, developed by the Cultural Communications
Department of the Tunisian Ministry of Culture. Contributors to this latter
series include leading contemporary intellectuals as well as religious
authorities. We have also included Al Hayat, a cultural magazine overseen
directly by our Minister of Culture, and which has been in print since
1975. Finally, our collection in this book fair contains materials about
Tunisian art, architecture, literature, sculpture, crafts, historical sites and
heritage.
What distinguishes Tunisia in terms of its relationship with its
intellectuals and thinkers?
The Ministry of Culture is certainly very supportive of the Tunisian
intellectual, financially assisting their creative process and aiding
publishing houses in terms of their cultural content by covering up to
75% of their costs.

Tourism

Ten National Sites
A Tourists Glimpse into Bahrains Heritage

This year the Tourism Directorate of the Ministry of Culture created

a short guide for the Kingdoms tourists with a list of ten different
must-see places to visit. The sites depicted reflect the rich national
heritage and describe some of the histories associated with them.
On the list of must-see places are the Bahrain Fort and the Site
Museum on its grounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which goes
back in time 4 centuries. The archaeological findings at the site of
the fort reflect different civilizations which settled in Bahrain and
the changing political and social structures of the different peoples.
With 500 artefacts showcased, the long settlement history of the
site is evoked in the adjacent museum. The guide also recommends
a visit to Bahrains most mysterious ancient remains - the burial
mounds that dominate the landscape north of the island. Spanning
the Dilmun (3rd to 1st millennium BC) and Tylos periods (2nd century
BC to 3rd century AD), the burial mounds of Bahrain are unique. The
best preserved and most impressive mounds are the royal burial
mounds in Aali. It is also in Aali that Bahrains traditional pottery
workshops are located. Another site recommended in the list of
must-see places is Bab Al Bahrain, situated at the entrance to the
Manama Suq. Built in 1945, the building housed the government
offices at the time as well as acting as a gateway into the trading
centre of the city. Today, Bab Al Bahrain remains an entry point into
the old suq, a cultural experience of its own as traditional items and
methods are still maintained.
A tour could not be complete without a visit to the Bahrain National
Museum, which showcases within its walls artefacts spanning
the 6000 year history of Bahrain. One of the first museums in the
Arabian Gulf, the Bahrain National Museum opened in 1988. Its rich
collection includes exhibits dedicated to Bahrains more recent
history and heritage as well as the works of contemporary Bahraini
artists.

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Block 338 is another must-see place for its contemporary

cultural value and as a charming pedestrian quarter crammed
with international restaurants, art galleries and small boutiques. In
addition, Bait al Quran is highlighted for its significant collection of
Quranic manuscripts and scriptures dating back to the 7thcentury. In
addition to its important historical collection, Bait al Quran exhibition
space often hosts varied art exhibitions while housing a small
mosque, distinguished library and learning environment for Islamic
teaching.
Fans of motorsports are also enticed to visit the site of the Formula
1 the Bahrain International Circuit.
The booklet is short, but comprehensive, providing readers with
further contact details and a brief calendar of annual cultural
programmes thereby enabling visitors and readers to organise an
appropriate tourist schedule around the islands.

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Bahrains Top 10 Must-dos

The guide also recommends a visit to the former capital of Bahrain

and the last city of its kind in the region, Muharraq. It is here that
Bahrains architectural heritage and cultural influences can be seen
ranging from the Islamic style of the Shaikh Isa bin Ali House to the
historical houses within the neighbourhood of the Shaikh Ebrahim
bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research including
Kurar House, Bin Matar House and the Abdullah Al Zayed House
amongst others. The guide here alerts readers to the Qaisariya Suq,
one of the oldest sections of the Muharraq Suq and which is located
within the vicinity of the houses.

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The Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education
Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

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In line with the Ministry of Cultures interest in conserving and
protecting Bahrains heritage, HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed
Al Khalifa, the Minister of Culture, signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Ministry of Education, designed to protect
the remains of Bahrains earliest educational institutions.

Attraction

In a recent meeting, HE Shaikha Mai Al Khalifa received the

Undersecretary of the Minister of Education for Human Resources
and Services, Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa. The
importance of Bahrains educational monuments, which were
recently added to Bahrains National Heritage list, and their
conservation was discussed. And in the spirit of cooperation
between the two ministries in light of their mutual appreciation
of heritage, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the
protection, restoration and renovation of three notable historic
schools, namely Al Hidaya Al Khalifiya, Al Khamis and Khadeeja Al
Kubra.
The meeting was attended by Salman Al Muhari, Head of the
Ministry of Cultures Restoration Department and Dr Ala Al Habashi,
Restoration Consultant to the Ministry, while from the Ministry of
Education, Latifa Bunoodtha, Director of the Department of Planning
and Educational Projects was present.

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A Pioneer School: Al Hidaya Al Khalifiya
Beyond ones instinct
Education knows no bounds a fact which rang very true in
Bahrain during the early 20th Century when its leading intellectuals
came together to build the countrys first modern educational
establishments. As such, in 1919, in a public initiative of local
families, the first modern public boys school was built in northern
Muharraq under the guidance of the then Minister of Information.
This was later followed by the first modern school for girls Khadija
Al Kubra Girls School.

Khadeeja Al Kubra School:

The First Modern Public Girls School in Bahrain

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Educational

No societal education can ever be complete without addressing the

instruction of girls and it was with this in mind that the first modern
public school for girls was launched in Bahrain in 1928. This was in
recognition of the fundamental role of women in social development
and advancement. Khadeeja Al Kubra became that very institution,
empowering girls and young women to discover their skills and
nurture their interests in creative and innovative ways.
Al Khamis School
a pearling heritage buried within its rooms
The pearling heritage of Bahrain was not enclosed within its
industrial reach alone as it impacted social development to a
large degree. It was in fact this pearling heritage, which led to the
establishment of the first modern school outside Manama and the
second such school in Bahrain: Al Khamis Almubarakiya Alalawiya
School. Established within the folds of the British protectorate in
1926, this school was responsible for the gradual introduction of
literacy to Bahrains villages as it was built in the area of Bilad Al
Qadim and Al Khamis and catered to the neighbouring communities.
And in the typical simplicity of the times, Al Khamis School began
within an enclosure of two rooms in which 16 students took their
instruction under the guidance of Abdelkarim Al bin Juma, a
descendant of an established family from Qatif. It was the pearling
relationship between two families which led to the schools actual
formation as local pearl merchant, Ahmed bin Khamis, supplied the
family of bin Juma in Qatif with Bahraini pearls. But the trade and
cultural exchange between the two areas as well as the individual
experience of the bin Juma family in Iraq during the 1920s of revolts
and national movements led to the establishment of the school.
Perhaps due to the prevailing poverty of the surrounding area or
lack of acceptance of change, none of the local families sent their
children to the school at the outset.
Thus, Bahrains pearling economy liberated its villages and helped
introduce modern education, a heritage from the 1920s, from which
its architectural remains depict an important period in local history
and culture.




Bahrain Ministry of Culture signs agreement with
the Peoples Republic of China

Between China and Manama
A Spring lined with Culture

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A cultural cooperation and exchange agreement between the

Bahrain Ministry of Culture and the Peoples Republic of China was
signed by HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of
Culture, and her Chinese counterpart represented by the deputy
of the Peoples Republic Minister of Culture, Yang Chi, during the
programme of the 7th Spring of Culture and in cooperation with the
Chinese Embassy in Bahrain.
This is in line with the Ministrys promotion of continuous
cultural dialogue and multi-disciplinary interaction and learning.
Underpinning these cultural exchanges is a natural awareness and
acceptance of the other in addition to an embrace of both traditions
and differences.

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Culture cannot exist without windows of exchange and dialogue
between different peoples, traditions and thoughts. And it is within
this context that the Spring of Culture this year embraced varied
Chinese cultural forms, reflecting the diverse intellectual background
of the Chinese people.
This Chinese presence was felt in three outstanding forms. Entitled
Masterpieces, an exhibition of Suzhou embroidery, one of the four
chief Chinese embroidery styles took place. Unique due to its
beautiful patterns, harmonious colours, lively stitching and exquisite
craftsmanship, Suzhou embroidery is celebrated throughout the
Peoples Republic. In addition, Chinese dance was showcased
with a folk dance ensemble, Little White Egret. Featuring the exotic
dance of Chinese ethnic minorities and characterized by the unique
Minnan (South Fujian) culture, the event was an exclusive and
spectacular show. Finally, concluding the Chinese participation in
the Spring of Culture, the Shaolin Temple Group performed their
harmonious mixture of Chinese styles including Kung Fu, Wushu and
Chan Buddhism A fantastic celebration of cultural interchange,
these inspiring events augmented the diversity and opportunity
represented by the Spring of Culture in Bahrain.




Taa Al Shabab participate in
the Bahrain International Book Fair

Held under the auspices of the Spring of Culture, the 15th Bahrain
International Book Fair was organized by the Ministry of Culture and
opened its doors from 22nd March to 1st April. Youth participation
came in the form of Taa Al Shabab whose active involvement was
designed to maintain a diverse cultural dialogue through a selection
of exchange programmes including We All Read, Darayesh and
Hafawa amongst others.
Taa Al Shabab took part in the Book Fair by featuring their notable
educational programme, We All Read, in a distinguished stand
amongst the 300 publishers and bookstores participating this year.
It was here that Taa Al Shabab showcased childrens books and
made recommendations to visitors on appropriate reading materials
including the works of three youth writers published by Taa Al
Shabab in 2011. The youth poets featured were Ranwa Al-Umsi and
Jaafar Al Alawi. Similarly, the youth group held a reading session
during the Book Fair in which visitors were encouraged to discuss
recent reading materials and favourite writings in a cultural exchange
which was both enlightening and compelling.
Taa Al Shabab participate in the Proud to be Bahraini exhibition
In line with Taa Al Shababs recognition of the influence and power
of youth, their creativity and efforts, the youth group participated
in the Proud to be Bahraini exhibition in which youth enterprise
and products were showcased. Launched under the patronage of
HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Proud to be Bahraini was
designed to reflect and apply youthful initiatives within the Kingdom.
Accordingly, the members of Taa Al Shabab were actively involved in
the exhibition and described their various programmes including: We
All Read, Tashkeel, Hafawa and the like. In addition, young poet and
member of Taa Al Shabab, Ranwa Al-Umsi, held a poetry reading
from her collection of poems.

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Between Two Blues,

the upcoming Ministry of Culture building

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Plans are underway for the construction of a new Ministry of Culture
building, which has been designed to exist alongside the cultural
compound of the Bahrain National Museum encompassing the Arts
Centre, Cultural Hall, National Theatre and Arab Regional Centre
for World Heritage. To be built over the next two years, the building
project is supported by the Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin
Salman Al Khalifa and will be developed according to the designs of
celebrated French architect, Alain Moatti whose firm is renovating
the Eiffel Tower.
This project is notable as the first construction in the Kingdom to be
put together according to green building standards. Between Two
Blues is both the concept and design integral to the new building
due to its position between the sea and sky.

Manama Culture

The Cultural Capital

embraces the Race

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The Capital of Arab Culture 2012 hosted the Formula One race for
the eighth time at the end of April, this year. And so Manama was
also transformed into the city of joy as in preparation for the Grand
Prix, the Bab Al Bahrain suq area hosted a number of cultural and
handicraft exhibits in a dedicated heritage carnival organized by the
Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce
and Industry.
Emphasising Bahraini life and traditions in one of its most important
focal points, the Manama suq, the carnival extended from Bab Al
Bahrain into the various alleyways which intersected with the main road
and pavilion. Guests and local residents alike were invited to imagine
the Bahrain of old its cultural norms and heritage and engage in the
varied crafts common to the island inhabitants in the past.
Bahraini handicrafts were showcased through the collaboration by
members of the Jasra Handicraft Centre while a foreign participation
through local Spanish and Peruvian residents added to the
diversity of the displays and ensuing dialogue. The atmosphere
was stimulated further by the traditional musical renditions of the
Mohammed bin Faris Band.

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www.manamaculture2012.bh

Hand by hand, we reach new

cultural heights with love and more.
www.manamaculture2012.bh

www. ww w.man amacult ure2012.bh