The 19th edition of Bahrain Heritage Festival will opens on Wednesday under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.
HM the King has delegated Deputy Premier Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa to inaugurate the annual event at Arad Fort Heritage Village. The festival reflects HM King Hamad’s personal interest in reviving Bahrain’s genuine and long-dating heritage and protecting it from extinction.
Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa paid tribute to HM the King for his firm keenness to patronise the annual event, pointing out Royal directives to protect heritage for future generations.
“The 19th edition of the festival is being held this year under the theme “Pearl Luster”, she told Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
The slogan epitomizes the Pearl Route project, which is expected to be registered in the list of world heritage sites, in recognition of famed Bahraini natural pearls, long hailed as the testimony of the Kingdom’s economic pillar in the past. The ministry has lined up a rich programme of pearl-related functions, including folklore pearling songs, shows exposing traditions divers’ houses, in addition to pearl piercing skills.
The festival also features educational shows for children, spotlighting divers’ lifestyles, pearl trades and aspects of Bahraini women’s lives then. The festival will be open to visitors from April 28 until May 5; from 5 to 10 pm. Entrance is free.