Muharraq: The Muharraq Nights Festival, organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) along the 3.5-kilometre Pearling Path from Bu Mahir Seashore to the Pearl Museum - Siyadi Majlis, successfully concluded its fourth edition.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the festival featured more than 560 activities and over 800 musical performances, drawing visitors from across the Kingdom and beyond. The comprehensive cultural programme included artistic activities, exhibitions, tours, and interactive workshops.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of BACA, expressed gratitude for the support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, highlighting the festival's role as a source of national pride and motivation for future cultural initiatives. He emphasized the festival's significance as a vibrant platform showcasing Bahrain's identity and rich heritage, while also strengthening community connections to the Kingdom's living heritage and enduring values.
Shaikh Khalifa also mentioned the directives from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which focus on revitalising Muharraq and preserving its heritage. He underscored BACA's commitment to working collaboratively to enhance cultural and national development, promoting values of belonging and loyalty among citizens and visitors.
The president noted the festival's positive outcomes in content, organisation, and participation, describing it as an integrated cultural project that activates heritage sites with contemporary artistic and cultural programmes. These efforts contribute to sustainable cultural development and the revitalisation of historic cities.
The festival's programme, held over a month along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pearling Path, attracted audiences of all ages and nationalities. It highlighted traditional architecture, intangible cultural heritage, and social customs linked to Muharraq and Bahrain's history. The festival also provided a platform for entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, and artisans to showcase their work, supporting the cultural economy and the sustainability of the creative sector.
Shaikh Khalifa thanked the supporting entities, partners, and the people of Muharraq for their cooperation, which was vital to the festival's success. He emphasized the importance of partnerships between public, community, and private sectors in delivering cultural projects.
The festival featured eight main pillars, including art, design, crafts, children's programmes, food, music, activities, and tours. It allowed the public to visit the Pearling Path houses and explore exhibits documenting Bahrain's pearling economy. Various art exhibitions, installation projects, and interactive works addressed themes of memory, identity, and movement, with the sea as a central element in Muharraq's history. These activities were conducted in collaboration with local cultural and artistic institutions such as the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research, Al Riwaq Art Space, The Art Station, Albareh Art Space, and Art Concept.