HM the King to patronise Heritage Festival

Manama, Apr. 13 (BNA): The 24th Heritage Festival will kick off on April 14 under the auspices of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The annual event, themed "Vocal Waves from Our Bahrain", will be held in a special tent near Bahrain National Museum, and will be open to the public from 18:00. Bahrain Heritage Festival has gained worldwide reputation and vigor since its launch in 1992 thanks to the gracious patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The festival reflects HM King Hamad’s personal interest in reviving Bahrain’s genuine and long-standing heritage and protecting it from being marginalised. The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), which is organising the festival daily from 16:00 to 21:00, is keen to bring to life pearl-related functions, including folklore pearling songs, shows exposing traditions divers’ houses, in addition to pearl piercing skills. Through merging the sea waves with the sound waves, the festival focuses on the element of sound, being a means through which the sea, the pear lining industry and the non-material heritage are showcased. Therefore, visitors will attend four artistic works, held inside the festival's tent, that include audio-visual shows on the divers' lifestyles and their families. Those stages include bidding farewell to sailors, sailing, families' waiting for them and their return home. The festival offers visitors a chance to see some of Bahrain's finest craftsmen at work, including basket-weaving, pottery, handicrafts, boat-building, musical instruments' making, jewellery, iron, wood and paper products, embroidered and crocheted goods as well as highly artistic Arabic calligraphy. There will also be a market inside the tent with stands showcasing Bahraini products, such as coffee, dates, perfumes, water vaccine, fabrics, accessories, traditional sweets and other modern artistic Bahraini products. Other than tableaux of Bahraini folklore, the festival features educational shows for children, theatrical works and specialised workshops.