Working hand in hand with entities such as Economic and Development Board( EBD), and various galleries around Bahrain to preserve and showcase the essence of Bahrain throughout the years, reach out to a wider audience, and build the bridge of cultural communication between Bahrain and the rest of the world, Spring of Culture 2018 had an incredibly diverse program of activities, programs, and events. The program was curated by BACA especially keeping in mind the prominence of Muharraq and its prestigious title of Capital of Islamic Culture in 2018, but at the same time utilizing historic sites throughout Bahrain to highlight their importance contributing to the Kingdom’ s culture and history, and also displaying international exhibits and events to create a unity between the Bahrainis and ever-expanding expatriate community, both of which play an important part in forming Bahrain’ s eclectic community. BACA focused more on traditional events which highlighted one aspect of the importance of the Muslim community and the festivities were organized keeping that in mind, whereas EBD not only highlighted Bahraini talent, such as bringing in Majid Jordan, the Canadian Duo of which one half is Bahraini singer Majid Maskati, and Bahrain-based band Likwid, as well as bringing to Bahrain international musical stars such as English
singers Rita Ora and James Arthur. The exciting mix of events attracted large crowds of all nationalities that came together to celebrate Bahrain.
Prior to the festival being officially launched, BACA marked the significance of Muharraq by opening the annual art exhibition, which was in its 44th edition this year, and Sheikha Hala says it was important to start with big exhibitions such as the Al Fann Exhibit and Between Muharraq and Seville by Ebrahim Busaad and Elisabeth Bolza, both in the Bahrain National Museum. The Al Fann exhibit is the Al Sabah Collection, which showcases Islamic objects from different eras.“ For us to this collection traveling from a very prestigious institution like the Sabah Collection, Dar Al Islamiyya in Kuwait to Bahrain, it has a huge significance for us and for our cultural collaborations with the region”, says Sheikha Hala. Also having personally worked on the Bolza-Busaad exhibition, she says it was important to have that collaborative exhibit was because their independent works highlighted calligraphy, Arabic writing, and Arabic language is for Bahrain and the identity of its people.
SPRING 2018
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