(A report as part of FANA's cultural file on the Kingdom of Bahrain
KUWAIT, April 30 (KUNA) -- The Kingdom of Bahrain is best described as a multicultural country where people enjoy the freedom to live and work in a hospitable and tolerant environment with an atmosphere full of affection and compassion, mixed with an open dialogue and coexistence among all races and religions.
Many physical and cultural evidences exist in the kingdom that can support the competitive advantage enjoyed by the country, when compared to other countries, especially in the openness of its cultural atmosphere and economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Among such evidences are the "Pearl Road" site, what is known worldwide as "Bahrain pearling trail" which is a 3.5 km trail located in the island of Muharraq, and was used by pearl divers during much of Bahrain's history until the early 1930s, when the pearl market in Bahrain crashed as a result of the introduction of Cultured pearls from Japan.
The pathway consists of 17 buildings in Murharraq, three oyster beds located in the nearby sea, a segment of the coast and the seafront Bu Mahir fortress in the southern tip of Muharraq.
The pearling trail was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 30, 2012 and is Bahrain's second World Heritage Site after Bahrain Fort.
The historic site also represents a living museum in the open air and document the history of an era in the Kingdom of Bahrain when its economy was dependent on Pearl.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Culture Authority plays a significant role in the protection of national cultural identity, promote and publicize such sites as cultural identity components.
On another front, the kingdom was also able during 2016 to achieve another milestone in setting up, during January 2016, the Arab Gulf educational Museums network meeting, hosted in Bahrain National Museum and Bahrain Fort site where the goal was to held regularly meetings every three months to discuss ways to enhance the status of Museums in local cultural movement and exchange of experiences and knowledge in the museum field.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the celebration of Arab Tourism Day, which the kingdom celebrates annually on February 25th, but in 2014 the culture and Antiquities Authority in Bahrain hosted in its National Theatre the world premiere (Once Upon a Time) play, a Lebanese based Caracalla theater, directed by Ivan Caracalla.
The kingdom is also preparing to host the Arabian Gulf 14th theatrical celebration, scheduled in next September 24 and 4th October of this year. (end) nsa.mb