Manama: Marking the 100th anniversary of the theatrical movement in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) organized a commemorative celebration at Al Hidaya Al Khalifia School. The event was attended by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of BACA, and Suha Saleh Jassim Hamada, Director General of School Affairs at the Ministry of Education.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, highlighted that Al Hidaya Al Khalifia School, which hosted the initial launch of formal government education in Bahrain, also marked the beginning of Bahraini theatre. This underscores the historical significance of this educational institution.
The Education Minister noted that Bahraini theatre began as a school-based movement. School theatre continues to serve as a crucial source for the national theatre scene by nurturing acting talents that emerge within schools and are refined through school productions and annual school theatre festivals. He emphasized that the Ministry values school theatre as an educational tool and incorporates the study of local and international theatre history as a significant cultural achievement.
He added that the celebration coincides with the commemoration of the Year of Isa Al Kabeer, the founder of the modern state and institutional development in Bahrain. This lends the occasion added depth and symbolism, particularly as it takes place at one of the Kingdom's historic educational landmarks that witnessed the beginnings of the modern state.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed stated that celebrating the 100th anniversary of Bahraini theatre represents an important milestone in highlighting its theatrical legacy. It reinforces its place in the minds of future generations, continuing a century-long journey of creative contribution.
He commended the dedication of Bahraini professionals in the theatrical sector and their achievements, reflecting the Kingdom's cultural image. He also stressed the importance of sustained cooperation among official institutions, theatres, and audiences to advance Bahrain's theatrical movement and enhance its competitiveness at Arab and international theatre festivals.
The event included the opening of the exhibition "100 Years of Bahraini Theatre," which explores the Kingdom's theatrical journey through various stages since its beginnings at Al Hidaya Al Khalifia School in 1925, to the establishment of private theatres under the Bahrain Theatres Union Associations. The exhibition features photographs, documents, costumes, and awards documenting the evolution of the theatrical movement.
The exhibition will run until February 18 and will be open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Additionally, the event hosted the launch of the book "The Memory of Bahraini Theatre: A Century of Transformations and Aesthetics" by Khaled Fares Al Rowaiee. The book documents the history of Bahrain's theatrical movement, presenting key milestones, testimonies from pioneers, and archival photographs.
At the conclusion of the celebration, BACA honored prominent theatrical figures who have significantly contributed to the development of Bahrain's theatre scene.
The Authority expressed appreciation to the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the Bahrain Theatres Union Associations, and private theatres for their contributions in providing historical information related to theatre in the Kingdom.