MANAMA: In celebration of International Museum Day, held this year under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is hosting a diverse programme of events from 16 to 23 May 2026.

The programme highlights the role of museums as trusted public spaces and an essential part of the shared social fabric.

 The events will take place at the Bahrain National Museum, Qal’at al-Bahrain Site Museum, and the Post Office Museum, with the participation of Kanoo Museum as part of the cultural partnership between the public and private sectors. The programme includes a variety of guided tours, interactive workshops, and specialised lectures targeting different age groups.

 Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition “His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa: Life and Legacy”, which continues until 31 July 2026 at the Bahrain National Museum. The exhibition sheds light on the character of His Highness and his pivotal role in strengthening Bahrain’s position regionally and internationally. The museum will also host a guided tour of the 52nd Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, which reflects the history of Bahraini art and culture since 1972 and continues until the end of May.

 Visual arts also contribute to the celebration through two artistic workshops. The first, “Drawing Artefacts”, will be led by artist Fatima Hassan and explores visual civilisation through drawing, while the second, “Art & Soul”, with artist Rasha Al Nasser, focuses on expressing human emotions. The programme additionally includes an educational children’s tour and interactive workshop at the Bahrain National Museum, alongside the use of the “Find Enkiru” museum application to enrich the experience of children and families.

 For the first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s cultural scene, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Zayed National Museum in the United Arab Emirates will present a collaborative initiative at the Bahrain National Museum titled “Zayed National Museum: Celebrating the Ancient Ties Between Magan and Dilmun”. The introduction features historical information on the close ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain (ancient Dilmun) and the United Arab Emirates (ancient Magan). Concurrently, the museum will screen the film “Magan Boat”, which explores traditional boat-building techniques that enabled the peoples of the region to trade with the wider world in antiquity.

 As part of the cooperation agreement between the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and Kanoo Museum in the fields of culture, museums, and the arts, Kanoo Museum will host Nabeel Ajoor for a lecture exploring the memory of Manama Souq, in addition to a discussion panel titled “Preserving Memory and Human Expression”, featuring artist Khalid Al Hashimi, artist Mohammed Al Haddad, and photographer Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, moderated by Shouq Al Alawi.

Kanoo Museum will also organise a workshop titled “Museum Perspective” in collaboration with Sketchwalks. In addition, craftsman Abdullah Nasser will lead the workshop “Art on the Wheel”, introducing participants to the traditional craft of pottery making.