Bahrain National Museum
Every year UNESCO designates an Arab city as the Arab Capital of Culture. This year Manama, Bahrain gets to take center stage.
As things happen in Bahrain, the “go-ahead” to officially begin the year was given at 6pm on January 9th just in time for the first lecture at 8:30pm that evening. James Koch kicked off the year discussing the Beyeler Foundation’s achievements to a small audience tucked away in a tiny room somewhere.
Again, as things go in Bahrain, events are not well advertised. If we did not scour the social pages to see what the Sheikhas were up to, then the visiting musicians perform and we read about them a month later.
My friend Shandra the EXPERT Court Circular scourer read that HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women President visited the Bahrain National Museum on January 11th.
“The Sheikhas were at the museum. Would you like to go and see this exhibit?” Shandra asked.
“Of course. When should we go?”
“The article says nothing about the time or the dates. Check around and see if you can find out. But I think the museum is closed on Mondays,” she said.
This led me on a search to find out what is going on.
Yesterday’s front page headline had proclaimed THE POWER OF ART and highlighted HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa opening the Fine Art Exhibit at the museum.
But I was distracted by BD2,000 incentive to pay Electricity and Water bills (EWA) headline.
The government is planning to give Bahrainis about $5,300 to pay off their outstanding EWA bills. The people who pay on time get a BD500 bonus. Why? Because EWA needs money and 75% of the past due account are residential customers.
Seems to me the Bahrainis should be celebrating their good fortune. Not only will they get the electricity bonus, they can go to the free exhibit at the museum where they might be inspired to use their talents constructively.
Bahrain National Museum. This first exhibit features 90 works by 54 artists and a pavilion with artwork by 16 Arab artists. It will run through the end of January.
As the official website does not show the hours, I believe the museum is generally open 8am-8pm. Shandra said it is closed Mondays.
The National Museum is fantastic. It’s a great place to learn about Bahrain.
Tales of Dragons, Rabbits and Roosters 
Jan 12, 2012 @ 15:50:42
Sadly the Bahrainis have no idea just how fortunate they are. My experience of growing up in a law abiding society where if we wanted to get on in life or achieve things we had to get out in the world and work for it! Of course there will always be the “have nots” who think the world owes them but there are just a few too many lazy thugs on this desert isle! As the old adage goes, “you don’t know what you’ve got til its gone”….. let’s hope they don’t wait for that to happen!
Jan 13, 2012 @ 08:47:10
I appreciate how in Bahrain people are free to express themselves. Artists, musicians and writers are able to create here. Athletes can practice and compete. If people would focus on developing their talents then they would feel more satisfied. I hope this year provides inspiration.