Festive fun in Muharraq

Families and friends are flocking to Muharraq Nights for festive feels and a cultural celebration.

The third edition, which is spanning the length of the Pearling Path, aims to celebrate Bahraini creativity, merging heritage with contemporary design, as part of Celebrate Bahrain 2024.

“The third edition of the Muharraq Nights Festival is a continuous celebration of the city’s rich heritage, from its role in history as Bahrain’s first capital to being the largest pearling economy in the Gulf,” said Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the president of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. “The fusion of culture, arts, heritage, and innovation revives the memory of the Pearling Path, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

“This distinguished programme coincides with the Kingdom of Bahrain's celebration of its National Day and the anniversary of the accession of His Majesty the King to the throne.”

Visitors are invited to join the creative journey through various activities, suqs, and shops as there are more than 90 local projects highlighting handcrafted works and design products.

Design activities are spread across several historic houses and cultural venues along the path, transformed into platforms exhibiting the essence of Bahraini heritage with a modern twist.

Among the key destinations are stores such as Albareh Art Space and Art Concept Store at Badr Ghulum and Turabi Houses, which feature local products crafted from palm trees. Suq Barahat Fakhro offers a diverse selection of local products catering to various tastes, reflecting the rich cultural and artisanal diversity of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

At Suq Al Qaysariyyah, the Pearling Path Gift Shop entices visitors with unique items celebrating the pearling heritage, while Suq Nights (I) and (II) held at Pearling Path Visitor and Experience Centre and Amarat Ali Rashed Fakhro (I), showcase the creativity of local and regional designers in fields such as fashion, perfumes, and jewellery. These suqs serve as an ideal destination for lovers of craftsmanship, arts, and innovation.

In Maison Jamsheer, the Design Majlis hosts a cultural event under the theme Rethinking Architecture and Design. This event features panel discussions and workshops addressing the sustainability of traditional crafts and architectural heritage, with contributions from local and international designers, offering innovative insights into the importance of preserving heritage through creativity.

Muharraq Nights continue daily until December 30th, from 5pm to 10pm (Sunday to Wednesday), and from 5pm to midnight (Thursday to Saturday). The programme offers a wide range of events in the fields of arts, music, and cultural activities, including tours, workshops for all ages, film screenings, shops, as well as culinary experiences. Events are held across various venues along the 3.5-kilometre Pearling Path.

The festival is organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, with strategic support from GFH Financial Group and the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, as well as partnerships with art galleries and entrepreneurs.

For more details, visit the official Pearling Path website at www.pearlingpath.bh or follow @CultureBah and @pearlingpath on social media.