Palm Fronds Transformed into Art at Sixth Palm Paper Exhibition

The Child and Maternity Welfare Society on Tuesday inaugurated the sixth edition of the Palm Paper Exhibition, organised in cooperation with Makaan Art Gallery, in the presence of Sarah Ahmed Buhejji, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), along with art enthusiasts, heritage craft supporters, and representatives of community initiatives.

During the opening, Buhejji highlighted the importance of initiatives that celebrate national heritage and traditional crafts, noting their vital role in supporting local creativity and strengthening Bahraini identity. She praised the exhibition’s participation of artists and International Baccalaureate (IB) students from Al Naseem International School, who presented innovative artworks inspired by palm paper, offering a contemporary interpretation of aesthetics linked to Bahrain’s cultural heritage.

Buhejji added that the high level of creativity displayed by Bahraini artists and students reflects their ability to reintroduce elements of national heritage in a modern and appealing style. She stressed that palm paper art represents Bahrain’s deep connection to an important part of its history and traditional craftsmanship associated with the palm tree.

For her part, Sheikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Child and Maternity Welfare Society, affirmed the society’s strong commitment to nurturing young talents and providing platforms that showcase their artistic abilities. She noted that this plays a key role in preserving Bahrain’s heritage and passing it on to future generations in an innovative way that reflects the authenticity of Bahraini society.

She explained that all artworks on display were created on paper made from palm fronds, with the participation of 37 artists in addition to 28 students from Ibn Khaldoun School. This marks the first time school students have taken part in the exhibition, with plans to include more schools in future editions.

Sheikha Hind added that the sixth edition of the exhibition aims to promote training in recycling paper industries, encourage the production of artworks using natural materials, enhance environmental awareness, and stimulate creativity among young people.