On the sidelines of Bahrain’s National Day celebrations at the Kingdom’s pavilion “Where the Seas Meet” in Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) hosted an official reception under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The event was attended by Her Excellency Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Economic Development Board; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of BACA and Commissioner General of Bahrain’s Pavilion; Her Excellency Okai Asako, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Bahrain; alongside ambassadors and pavilion commissioners from the GCC, as well as friendly and brotherly countries.
Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed emphasized that Bahrain’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka reflects the Kingdom’s deep belief in culture as a powerful tool for human connection, development, and building a brighter, more peaceful future. He noted that the pavilion embodies Bahrain’s message that culture is a universal language that transcends borders and brings people closer together. The pavilion’s theme, “Where the Seas Meet,” highlights Bahrain’s historic role as a hub of cultural and economic exchange.
He also expressed pride in the partnerships and supporters who contributed to shaping Bahrain’s participation, which collectively enhanced the Kingdom’s presence on the global stage.
The reception featured a dinner prepared by Bahraini chef Tala Bashmi and traditional Bahraini music performances.
The pavilion’s National Day program runs through September 20, offering global visitors an immersive cultural journey. Highlights include the concert “After Twenty Years” by artist Hasan Hujairi with musician Kawl Samarkandi, as well as experiences such as Arabic coffee tastings, Arabic calligraphy workshops, and a performance by the Bahrain Police Band under Expo’s main dome.
In the National Day Hall, the headline performance “Bahrain’s Music Through the Ages” presented a carefully curated journey through the Kingdom’s musical heritage. The program began with traditional sea chants and work songs, moving into Fidjeri performed by the Qalali Folklore Group, followed by Sawt—a musical form that originated in Bahrain and was developed by pioneers such as Mohamed bin Faris, Dhahi bin Walid, and Mohamed Zuwayed. The evening concluded with a piano solo by Bahraini artist Noor Al Qassim.
The showcase also featured emerging Bahraini talents, including Abdulrahman Awadh, Abdullah Haji, and Mohamed Aseri, under the artistic direction of Maestro Ziad Zaiman. Complementing the music, a visual art display highlighted works by prominent Bahraini artists such as Abbas Al Mousawi, Abduljabbar Al Ghadban, Abdullah Al Muharraqi, Abdulkarim Al Basta, Hussain Al Sunni, Rashid Al Oraifi, Rashid Al Suwaid, and Yousif Qassim.
The festivities will conclude on September 20 with a program blending Arabic coffee, calligraphy, and diverse musical acts, including Sawt, Bahraini jazz, folk tunes, and traditional songs, offering visitors a final taste of the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.
AloJapan.com