Captivating artistic journey

TDT | Manama                                                     

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The 18th Spring of Culture Festival, renowned as the largest cultural season in the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced on Thursday evening at the Bahrain National Theater.

The event witnessed the grand inauguration of the “Bahraini Sound Art” ceremony in the esteemed presence of His Excellency Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), alongside several other dignitaries.

The theater’s 1,000 seats were filled with high-level diplomats and a large audience, signifying the festival’s significance and appeal.

Intangible heritage

This groundbreaking ceremony marks the first instance of sound art being showcased on such a grand platform, underscoring BACA’s commitment to highlighting the importance of this art form and the intangible heritage it embodies for the Kingdom.

The distinguished Bahraini artists Ahmed Al Jumairi, Muhammad Al Tamimi, and Abdul Rahman Awad actively participated in the ceremony, which was orchestrated by the Bahrain Music Band under the guidance of Maestro Ziad Ziman.

Attendees were treated to a captivating artistic journey, featuring various musical excerpts showcasing the seminal works of Bahraini sound art pioneers and founders such as Muhammad bin Faris, Dhahi bin Walid, and Muhammad Zuwaid.

The art of voice holds a significant place in ancient Arabic singing and serves as the local form of popular singing for the Gulf region, particularly the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Muharraq city is recognized as the cradle and epicenter of this art, from where it radiated across the region.

Despite the evolution of the local singing and music scene, the art of voice in Bahrain has preserved its originality and artistic essence to this day.

It is revered as the art of the “elite,” with its early pioneers in the Kingdom being regarded among the finest vocal artists in the region.

The ceremony garnered enthusiastic engagement from the audience, particularly during the captivating presentation of “Al-Zafna,” the traditional dance accompanying Bahraini vocal art.

Resounding applause

The performance of “The Deal” also evoked a strong response from the attendees, evident in the resounding applause, underscoring the rhythmic allure that distinguishes this authentic art form. Notably, the Spring of Culture Festival is set to continue until March 1.

The festival is jointly organised by BACA, the Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, and the Dana Theater, in collaboration with Al Rawaq Arts Space, Al Bareh Fine Arts, Art Concept, and the La Fontaine Center for Contemporary Art.

The diverse array of programs and events featured in the festival spans various cultural venues across Bahrain, encompassing art exhibitions, musical and theatrical performances, workshops, as well as literary, intellectual, and poetic gatherings, among other offerings.

This esteemed festival enjoys strategic sponsorship from the Economic Development Board, with gold sponsorship from the Labour Fund, Tamkeen, and silver sponsorship from Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), and the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB).

Several embassies in the Kingdom, including those of the US, Italy, France, and Japan, actively contribute to the festival’s program.