Turning marble into heritage

TDT | Manama

Here artists are busy! They are chiselling away chunks of solid matter from the huge blocks of marble before them, transforming them slowly into compositions depicting Bahrain’s heritage, culture, and closely knit societal fabric. The venue is Bahrain International Airport Marble Sculpture symposium.

Watching the proceeding carefully among others are Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) Chairman, Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed. He was at the three-week project to review the progress of the work which will transform BIA into a world-class boutique airport and a key driver of national economic growth.

Organised by BAC and Hind Gallery, the event is taking place in a fully equipped facility with 10 leading Bahraini sculptors near the airport as part of Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP). The minister said: “This symposium is an opportunity to showcase the talent of Bahraini artists who, through their participation in local and international exhibitions, have displayed their work at several world-famous venues.”

“Every element of the new facility has been carefully selected to reflect Bahrain’s culture and heritage and envisioned to become a popular attraction for tourists.” The sculptors participating in the threeweek project expressed pride in the initiative. The new terminal will house two galleries which will regularly display Bahraini antiques and art.

Souq Al Qaisarya will feature a broad selection of local products, food and beverage outlets, Bahraini jewellery, an art gallery, and a theatre, enabling passengers to experience the Kingdom without having to set foot outside the airport.