Family Fun and Folk Arts at Southern Celebrations Festival in Riffa

His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Governor of the Southern Governorate, attended the “Southern Celebrations” festival held at Khalifa Al Kubra Park in Riffa. The event is part of a series of activities commemorating the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Days, the 26th Accession Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and other national occasions. The festival was attended by Abdullah Ibrahim Abdul Latif, Chairman of the Municipal Council of the Southern Governorate, along with a number of officers, civil society organizations, and local residents.

On this occasion, His Highness the Governor highlighted that the festival reflects ongoing efforts to revive the heritage of the Southern Governorate and preserve the customs and traditions passed down through generations. He emphasized that the event forms part of a series of programs aimed at promoting community partnership, civic values, and a sense of national belonging, while introducing visitors to the Governorate’s heritage, crafts, traditional professions, and industries.

The festival featured a wide range of activities and national-themed pavilions, including a poetry corner with participation from “Future Poets” of the Folk Poetry Society, local entrepreneurs and heritage projects, a traditional clothing pavilion by the Bahrain Women’s Development Society, a coffee-making corner, a Bahraini folklore performance area, a falconry and hunting exhibit, and a pavilion showcasing antiques and collectibles.

In addition, the festival included sections for family-run businesses, traditional foods, and heritage-themed competitions. The Directorate of Security Culture from the General Directorate of Media and Security Culture participated, while a special children’s corner offered activities such as distributing and coloring the “Watani” magazine and showcasing heritage photographs to emphasize community values and historical connections across the Governorate.

His Highness the Governor toured the festival’s various pavilions, which included an interactive screen displaying historical photographs of Riffa, key landmarks in the Southern Governorate, traditional clothing and collectibles, as well as folk arts such as “Daq Al-Hub” and “Muradah” performances, and children’s traditional games.

The Southern Governorate prepared a comprehensive program of events throughout December, supported by a number of sponsors including Kuwait Finance House as platinum sponsor, National Bank of Bahrain and Bank Al Salam as gold sponsors, STC Bahrain as silver sponsor, and Cinco Cinema as bronze sponsor, in addition to extensive collaboration with various sectors to host celebrations across different areas of the Governorate.