Written by Fatima Al-Najm
Manama, September 12 (BNA) The German embassy organized a cultural symposium that hosted the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
This event coincides with the celebrations of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Germany of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Germany.
Sheikh Khalifa praised the long-term bilateral relations, noting that cooperation is not only limited to exhibitions and cultural programs.
We try to promote cooperation regarding conservation monuments and heritage sites. Germany has always nurtured an active alliance to preserve our culture and geology.”
The painting aims to promote cultural exchange between artists from Germany and BahRain, Emirates and Oman.
The head of the authority indicated that the authority has a number of exchange agreements with different countries.
He said that the authority seeks not only to expose Bahrainis to cultures from all over the world, but also to showcase Bahrain’s rich culture and comprehensive diversity abroad.
Our partnerships with all countries are an important component of our cultural communication. “We believe in cultural diplomacy as a way to connect different cultures across borders,” Sheikh Khalifa said.
Participants focused on topics of common interest, including sustainability, hybrid artistic identities in a complex world, the concept of nostalgia, reality, and utopia.
reflect on the link between sustainability, climate change and culture; Sheikh Khalifa said: “I think the key word is quality of life and we believe culture is a critical component in achieving that. Quality of life covers all aspects and I believe that, after the pandemic, people have felt the need to reconnect and rediscover. There is no longer a gap between nature and culture. They are becoming intertwined, and there is great awareness regarding the preservation of cultural heritage, landscapes, and culture is a powerful resource for promoting sustainability and addressing the effects of climate change. Cultural landscapes are an important thing in the fabric of culture here in Bahrain.”
The artists exchanged views based on their particular school and the type of art they present for closer collaboration and highlighted the role of cultural exchange in building bridges at global and regional levels.
“Bahrain’s cultural potential is endless and I think what we are trying to do is involve many sectors to contribute to the culture sector. In order to build and consolidate a thriving culture, we need to have creative people as well as innovators to contribute in their own way to interpreting and presenting culture to the locals,” said the BACA president.
The participants reviewed opportunities to enhance cultural dialogue between Germany and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to agree on project ideas.