Bahrain pavilion to celebrate National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka
Manama, Sep. 16 (BNA): Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) will host a four-day cultural programme at Expo 2025 Osaka to celebrate the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day, from September 17-20 The celebrations will convey a message to the Expo’s global audience through music and diverse cultural experiences.
The official National Day of the Bahrain Pavilion falls on September 18, featuring a full programme of activities beginning at the Pavilion with an Arabic coffee and calligraphy experience, followed by a performance from the Bahrain Police Band under the Grand Ring, offering visitors a festive atmosphere rooted in authentic Bahraini identity.
The main event will be held in the National Day Hall, with a concert entitled Bahrain’s Music Across Time. This carefully curated performance transitions seamlessly between Bahrain’s traditional arts and a finale that blends heritage with contemporary styles. It begins with nahma, and songs once performed on pearl-diving vessels, followed by fjiri, performed by the Qalali Folk Band. The programme continues with a segment dedicated to "Fan Al Sawt", a musical genre that originated in Bahrain and was developed by renowned musicians Mohammed bin Faris, Dhahi bin Waleed, and Mohammed Zuwayed. The evening closes with a piano solo by Bahraini artist Noor Al Qassem. Rising Bahraini talents, including Abdulrahman Awadh, Abdulla Haji, and Mohammed Aseeri, will also take part, under the artistic direction of Bahraini maestro Ziad Zaiman.
The concert will be accompanied by a video presentation showcasing major works of Bahraini fine art by Abbas Al Mosawi, Abduljabbar Al Ghadban, Abdulla Al Muharraqi, Abdulkareem Al Bosta, Hussain Al Sunni, Rashed Al Oraifi, Rashed Suwar, and Yousef Qassim, highlighting the meeting of music and visual art within a united cultural setting.
Beyond the official ceremony, a parallel programme will run across different Expo venues. On September 17, the Pavilion will host Twenty Years Later, a performance by Hasan Hujairi in collaboration with musician Kawol Samarqandi. On September 19, the activities will include a wide range of performances, from "Fjiri" and "Fan Al Sawt", to traditional melodies and an evening of Bahraini jazz and songs. The celebrations conclude on September 20 with a multisensory programme combining Arabic coffee and calligraphy experiences with music, featuring "Fan Al Sawt", Bahraini jazz, Bahraini songs, and traditional melodies.
For more information, visit the Bahrain Pavilion website at www.bahrainpavilion2025.bh or BACA's website at www.culture.gov.bh. Follow @CultureBah and @bahatexpo on social media.
