Exploring Bahrain's Rich Cultural Heritage In Arts And Literature

Bahrain has a rich history of art and literature, with traditional literature taking the form of classical Arabic poetry. The country's art scene emerged in the 1950s, with the establishment of an Arts and Literature club in 1952, which brought together professional and amateur artists, musicians, and actors. Since then, the country has produced notable writers and artists, including poets Ali al-Sharqawi, Qassim Haddad, Ebrahim Al-Arrayedh, and Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifa, and artists Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al Khalifa, Ahmed Qasim Sinni, and Abdul Karim Al-Orrayed, to name a few.

Traditional literature in Bahrain is written in the classical Arabic style

Traditional Literature in Bahrain

Bahrain's literature has a strong tradition in the country, with most traditional writers and poets writing in the classical Arabic style. Arabic literature, known as 'Adab' in Arabic, emerged in the 5th century and has remained vibrant to the present day.

Classical Arabic Style in Bahrain

Influence of Western Literature

In recent years, younger poets in Bahrain have been influenced by Western literature, with many writing in free verse or prose poetry and including political or personal content. Almost all poetry publications in the country are in Arabic, with English publications being rare and usually requiring prior translation.

Historical Context

The modern Bahraini art movement emerged in the 1950s, with the establishment of an Arts and Literature club in 1952. The Bahrain Writers Association, the country's local writing society, was founded in 1969.

Bahrain in Literature

Bahrain has been featured in various works of literature, including James Joyce's "Finnegans Wake" and Lucy Caldwell's award-winning novel, "The Meeting Point". Bahrain is also said to be the location of the ancient land of Dilmun, mentioned in the ancient text, "Epic of Gilgamesh". Legend also states that it was the site of the Garden of Eden.

Poetry is very popular in Bahrain, with many contemporary poets

In recent years, there has been a growing number of younger poets influenced by Western literature, who tend to write in free verse or prose poetry and often include political or personal content. While most poetry publications in Bahrain are in Arabic, some poets have had their work translated into several languages, including English. Ali Abdullah Khalifa, for example, has had his poetry translated into English, French, Persian, Italian, Romanian, Russian, and Portuguese.

Poetry has been an important form of expression for women in Bahrain. It is estimated that one-sixth of all Bahraini poets between 1925 and 1985 were women, including prominent writers such as Iman Asiri, Fatima al-Taytun, Fathiya 'Ajlan, Hamda Khamis, and Fawziyya al-Sindi. Hamda Khamis is widely recognized as the first female Bahraini poet, publishing her first collection in 1969.

Bahraini poets have explored a range of themes in their work, from the harsh lives of pearl divers, as in the poems of Ali Abdullah Khalifa, to nationalism and romance in the poetry of Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifa. Bahrain's rich history and cultural context provide a wealth of inspiration for its poets, who continue to shape the country's vibrant literary landscape.

Bahrain's art movement emerged in the 1950s with the creation of an Arts and Literature club

The modern Bahraini art movement emerged in the 1950s with the creation of an Arts and Literature club in 1952. The club was an umbrella group for professional and amateur artists, musicians, and actors in Bahrain. This was a pivotal moment in the history of Bahraini art, as it provided a platform for creatives to connect, collaborate, and showcase their talents.

In the years that followed, Bahraini artists flourished and continued to develop their unique artistic style. In 1956, just four years after the establishment of the Arts and Literature club, the first art exhibition was held in the Bahraini capital, Manama. This exhibition showcased the talents of local artists and helped to solidify the presence of the arts in Bahraini culture.

Expressionism and surrealism emerged as popular art forms, with artists such as Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al Khalifa and Ahmed Qasim Sinni leading the way. These artistic movements offered a new way of expressing emotions and exploring the surreal in a region that had traditionally favoured classical styles.

In addition to expressionism and surrealism, calligraphic art, or Arabic calligraphy, also held a significant place in the Bahraini art scene. The Bahraini government actively supported this art form, recognising its importance in Islamic art. This patronage culminated in the establishment of an Islamic museum, Beit Al Quran, dedicated to showcasing and preserving this artistic tradition.

The Bahrain Arts Society, founded in 1983, further bolstered the country's artistic endeavours. This non-profit cultural organisation, established by a group of 34 Bahraini artists, hosted exhibitions, offered training in various art forms, and promoted Bahraini art internationally.

With a rich history spanning from ancient times to the present day, Bahrain's art movement continues to evolve and inspire, leaving its mark on the global artistic landscape.

Expressionism, surrealism and calligraphic art are popular forms of art in the country

Expressionism, surrealism, and calligraphic art are popular forms of art in Bahrain. The modern Bahraini art movement emerged in the 1950s with the establishment of an Arts and Literature club in 1952. This club served as a hub for artists, musicians, and actors, and in 1956, the first art exhibition was held in the country's capital, Manama.

Expressionism and surrealism became widely popular in the country in the 20th century, with notable artists including Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed al Khalifa, Ahmed Qasim Sinni, and Nasser Yousif, among others. These artists often employed bold colours, emotional themes, and dreamlike scenes in their work.

Arabic calligraphy, or Islamic art, also grew in popularity during this time due to active patronage from the Bahraini government, which culminated in the establishment of an Islamic museum, Beit Al Quran. Notable calligraphers include Badie al-Shaikh and Abdul-Elah al Arab, who is known for using geometric kufics in his work.

Abstract expressionism has gained popularity in Bahrain in recent decades, with artists such as Abdul Latif Mufiz known for their abstract expressionist paintings.

Bahrain's art scene is diverse and vibrant, with a range of art galleries showcasing contemporary and traditional artworks. The Bahrain National Museum also houses a permanent contemporary art exhibition.

Bahrain's architecture is similar to its neighbours, with unique domestic architecture

Bahrain's architecture shares similarities with its neighbours in the Persian Gulf, particularly the centuries-old forts that mirror the region's architectural style. However, Bahrain stands out with its unique domestic architecture, most notably the wind towers that generate natural ventilation in houses. These wind towers are prevalent in old buildings, especially in the historic districts of Manama and Muharraq.

A traditional Bahraini house is designed with a series of pavilions surrounding a courtyard. Typically, these houses feature two courtyards, one dedicated to receiving male guests and the other for private family use. The layout of the rooms is strategically planned according to seasonal migration patterns, with the reception and living areas having counterparts on the roof to capture cool breezes during the summer. The lower rooms, on the other hand, have thick walls to provide comfortable spaces during the cooler winter months.

To combat the intense summer heat, builders employed a clever technique using coral rubble piers and large panels of coral rocks. The light-weight and porous coral, coated with lime and gypsum, traps warm air during the day, creating a natural cooling system. Hundreds of buildings with this innovative design were constructed in Bahrain, but most of them are no longer functional due to a lack of maintenance. The coral used in construction has a core made of clay, which dissolves easily, causing cracks in the walls during rainy weather. This structural issue necessitates yearly maintenance to ensure the buildings' stability.

Following Bahrain's independence and the oil boom of the 1970s, Western-style office buildings emerged in the financial districts of Manama, particularly in the Diplomatic Area. This fusion of traditional and modern architecture has garnered international recognition, with buildings like the Al Zamil Tower winning awards such as the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007.

In addition to its unique domestic architecture, Bahrain has a rich history of crafts such as pottery, sculptures, metal embroideries, and basket weaving using palm tree leaves. The country also boasts ancient pottery dating back to the Dilmun civilisation in the fifth and fourth millennium BC, discovered in northern Bahrain.

Bahrain's architectural landscape reflects both its historical roots and its evolution towards modernisation, blending traditional elements with contemporary designs.

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