800 Years On
Italy-Bahrain Launch Peace Events
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
A series of cultural and interfaith events will be held in Bahrain from June 2026 to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi, the Italian Embassy in Manama announced.
Unveiled at a press conference in collaboration with “This is Bahrain,” the programme will focus on themes of peace, dialogue, and coexistence, and will include conferences, youth competitions, and cultural performances.
Italian Ambassador Andrea Catalano said the initiative highlights St Francis as a lasting global symbol of humility and peaceful dialogue, whose message remains relevant amid contemporary divisions.
The programme opens in June with an intercultural and interreligious conference bringing together scholars and leaders to discuss the “universal message of peace,” including reflections on St Francis’ historic encounter with the Sultan of Egypt in 1219.
A nationwide drawing competition for Bahraini schoolchildren and young artists will follow, encouraging creative interpretations of peace, friendship, and nature. A concert inspired by the “Canticle of the Creatures” is also planned to celebrate St Francis’ spiritual and environmental legacy.
Participants will also be offered a visit to Italy in October 2026 to trace the life of St Francis in Assisi, coinciding with Italy’s national day commemorating the saint on October 4.
The initiative also highlights shared historical values between Italy and Bahrain, linking the legacy of St Francis with that of Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, known for promoting openness and coexistence in Bahrain’s modern history.
Betsy B. Mathieson, chairperson of “This is Bahrain,” said the programme reflects both nations’ commitment to tolerance and interfaith understanding, describing Bahrain as a “platform for dialogue and cultural openness.”
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