Manama: Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf; Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture; Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA); Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, Minister of Labour and Minister of Legal Affairs; Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health; Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, Minister of Social Development; and Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), toured the Hawa Al Manama festival, one of the flagship events of the Celebrate Bahrain season. The ministers reviewed the cultural and tourism experiences on offer, which recreate a distinctive period in the history of the capital and revive Manama's social and commercial memory. The event highlights aspects of heritage and national identity, contributing to a comprehensive and enriching touris m experience for citizens, residents, and visitors.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Minister Al Sairafi said that the Hawa Al Manama festival reflects the authentic spirit of the Kingdom and showcases the beauty of its cultural and social diversity through an integrated tourism experience that celebrates heritage and resonates with citizens and visitors alike. She noted that the event draws inspiration from the visions of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, enhancing Manama's position as a vibrant centre of culture and tourism.
She added that the Hawa Al Manama festival is one of the distinctive initiatives included in the Celebrate Bahrain season. She said that the event, now in its second edition, serves as an important platform to highlight the cultural heritage of the capital and its historical character, noting that selecting Manama Souq as the venue reflects the site's significance and its central role in shaping the Kingdom's economic and social identity.
Minister Al Sairafi explained that organising such events forms part of the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and the BTEA to continue diversifying the tourism offering, contributing to the objectives of the Tourism Sector Strategy 2022-2026. She highlighted the importance of integrated government efforts and strengthened partnerships with the private sector to ensure the continuity of quality initiatives that meet visitors' expectations.
The Hawa Al Manama festival is one of the main events within the Celebrate Bahrain season. It offers a wide range of activities that reflect key moments from Manama's memory, including interactive activities, food experiences, and museums and exhibitions addressing various themes. The event features around 200 distinguished Bahraini projects from different sectors and the participation of 250 Bahraini youth volunteers in its organisation, and runs until January 15, 2026.