Crown Prince visits National Museum to mark 25th anniversary and National Day
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister today visited the National Museum to mark its 25th anniversary, as well as National Day.
The event was also attended by high level royal and governmental dignitaries, directors of leading museums from around the world, and other VIP guests.
His Royal Highness praised the National Museum’s leading role in highlighting and preserving the Kingdom of Bahrain’s history, culture, and tradition for future generations. His Royal Highness described the evolution of the National Museum as reflective of the Kingdom’s recognition of the importance of museums since the 1970s, in line with the Kingdom’s historical position as a meeting point of civilizations and cultures.
His Royal Highness praised the efforts of the Ministry of Culture in supporting Bahrain’s growing stature as a cultural centre for the region and the world. Referring to the recognition of Bahrain Fort and the Pearling Trail as UNESCO World Heritage sites, His Royal Highness stated that this highlights Bahrain’s pioneering role in preserving cultural, heritage, and historical sites, and further noted that the variety of cultural and heritage assets from different eras within the Kingdom distinguish Bahrain around the world.
His Royal Highness also noted work to preserve other sites in Bahrain, including the Burial Mounds, a legacy of the ancient civilization of Bahrain, and the Al Khamis mosque, a symbol of Bahrain’s prominent place in Islamic civilization, as further examples of Bahrain’s rich cultural heritage and international interest.
His Royal Highness expressed his pleasure in attending the event, and describing it as a symbol of the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. His Royal Highness wished the Ministry of Culture continuing success in its efforts to preserve the sites and artifacts of the Kingdom’s history, culture, and civilizations, noting that these traces of history attest to the rich historic identity of Bahrainis.
During the event His Royal Highness was accompanied by Her Excellency Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, Minister of Culture, in a tour of a special exhibition showcasing a selection of antiquities and artifacts from different eras alongside a documentary showing the evolution of the National Museum and the Kingdom’s support of the museum sector.
Separately, Shaikha Mai gave a speech during the event expressing her gratitude to His Royal Highness for his patronage of the event. Shaikha Mai added that the event coincided with Bahrain’s National Day celebrations, marking the foundation of the Kingdom by Ahmad Al Fateh in 1783, which led to the development of modern Bahrain, underpinned by an Arabic and Islamic legacy. Bahrain’s modern history has now seen it take on a key role in the international arena after joining the UN 42 years ago and establishing a country based on functioning institutions, respect for law and order, and political reform. Shaikha Mai underscored that it is this long history leading to the modern era, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad that distinguishes Bahrain.
Shaikha Mai concluded by recognising that on this day 25 years ago, Manama witnessed the opening of the National Museum – the first of its kind in the GCC region – under the patronage of the Amir, His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa. Shaikha Mai went on to confirm that interest in the Museum and the history it safeguards, forms part of Bahrain’s heritage and identity and in this regard highlighted the efforts of the late Minister of Information, Mr. Tareq Al-Moayyed and his Undersecretary Shaikh Haya bint Ali Al-Khalifa.
Shaikha Mai also noted the continuing efforts of the Ministry to set up museums across the Kingdom and highlighted that under recently announced plans a museum for Barber Temple will soon be erected, as will a museum for modern art, in addition to the overhauling of a number of museum exhibitions.
