Manama: His Excellency, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Development and Infrastructure Projects, has stressed that Bahraini cities boast distinguished urban features and a rich history of cultural and civilisational achievements.
This, he said, requires everyone to cooperate in order to preserve the Bahraini cities’ achievements and to use them in making an infrastructure that would contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing the kingdom’s civilisational status at the regional and international levels.
The deputy premier made the statements as he patronised a celebration held by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) at the Pearl Path Visitor Centre in Muharraq on the winning of the Revitalisation of Muharraq Area project of the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
BACA President, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, ministers and ambassadors of brotherly and friendly countries, in addition to the Director of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Farrokh Derakhshani, and jury members, attended the ceremony.
Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla affirmed that BACA had attained many achievements that contributed to enhancing the kingdom’s regional and international status thanks to the constant support enjoyed by the cultural sector from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, praising the role played by the cultural sector in promoting Bahrain’s national achievements and image at various international gatherings.
The Deputy Premier expressed thanks to BACA President and all those who contributed to Muharraq’s winning of the prestigious award, noting that the exploit embodies the dedicated efforts made to establish the status of Bahrain as one of the most important centres that attract investment, economic, tourism and cultural activities.
The Revitalisation of Muharraq project was first Initiated as a series of restoration and adaptive reuse of a number of edifices under the Shaikh Ebrahim Centre for Culture and Research since 2002. It then evolved into a comprehensive programme entitled Pearling Path, Testimony of an Island Economy involving various architects, planners and researchers. The project both highlights the town’s pearling history and aims to re-balance its demographic makeup, enticing local families back through improvements to the environment and provision of community and cultural venues.
BACA President, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said that the Pearl Path site embodies an important historical phase in Bahrain’s history, noting that the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture adds to Muharraq’s achievements.
She affirmed that the pretigious award was attained thanks to HM King Hamad’s unwavering support for the cultural sector.
She also asserted that the win crowns long years of fruitful work to revitalise Bahrain’s old towns, and project to the world Bahrain’s rich historical heritage.
She expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla for patronising the ceremony, and support for BACA’s projects and programmes.
Farrokh Derakhshani, in his statement, lauded the Revitalisation of Muharraq project, hailing the role played by Shaikha Mai and BACA’s work team in reviving Bahrain’s heritage.
Member of the steering committee of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Dr. Mohammed Al-Assad, congratulated the project’s work team, expressing pride in the project.
On the sidelines of the event, the Deputy Premier toured the Pearl Path, and visited the Nuzul Al Salam heritage house which was reopened as a hotel in the old town of Muharraq, Bahrain. The renovation is a joint project between the UAE and Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Centre for Culture and Research in Bahrain, as part of wider collaborative efforts between the cultural authorities of the two Gulf nations.