It is the first time Manama has been selected for this honour since the initiative was launched by the Arab League in 1996, as part of UNESCO’s cultural capitals programme.
“This title emphasises Manama’s pioneering role in the field of culture and knowledge in the region,” Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said.
She was speaking at a press conference at the National Museum to spell out plans for Manama as Cultural Capital of the Arab World.
A broad range of activities incorporating different aspects of Arab culture will take place month by month throughout the year. January will concentrate, for instance, on fine arts, and there are various art exhibitions and a sculpture symposium planned.
February will focus on architecture, and one project will be a competition for proposals to redevelop Bahrain’s most popular souk, or market, Bab Al Bahrain. Heritage is the theme for April, when an international conference on the World Heritage Convention will take place.
June will be the month for poetry, and July for literature. A highlight of August will be screening of Arab movies, followed by music as the focus for September, with a special production on the masters of Arabic singing, coinciding with the 21st Bahrain International Music Festival.
Events in October will look at the environment and include a forum on traditional knowledge for the management of nature reserves and heritage sites.
Among the events scheduled for November next year, when theatre is the theme, is the staging of play highlighting the history of Bahrain. The whole programme concludes in December with a look at the theme of homeland, and the launch of a series of books based on the 12 pillars of culture in focus throughout the year.
Among the many diverse projects and initiatives lined up for next year are the opening of the new National Theatre, the launch of a Regional Centre for World Heritage, the holding of an international fashion show, and a convention of leading Arab intellectuals.