Just like New York and Paris, December in the Kingdom of Bahrain is unique and special in its own way. From national day celebrations that runs throughout the month, all the way to the new year’s fireworks display and events. This is Bahrain, The Land of Two Seas that illuminates the heart before the dawn of celebrations.
By celebrating the past and honoring the traditions that shaped each and every person in the country, there’s one specific place that lights differently. It’s a destination that attracts the memories of the past that live through our parents, grandparents and every mark they have implemented along the way of the city, as well as reliving the foundations and basics of what made Muharraq the city of lights that welcomes people from all around the country and the world. Muharraq is known for its historical landmarks and the great ancestors of divers and fishermen who made a living by extracting the precious pearls. And that led to a generational wealth and prosperity in the beloved Kingdom we all know as Bahrain.
“Muharraq Nights” is a celebration for all and with all. No one is an unwelcome visitor or a tourist, everyone is at home and with family regardless of destination and location of where they came from.
The event is based in the center of Muharraq, from the 1st of December to the 30th, its set right between the old homes that raised generations of men and women who situated their achievements within and throughout. This event encompasses the past and present through local musical traditions and acts that nurtures the soul and spirit in a way that makes the past seem close enough, as if it’s a former page in a book and not a generational period that have passed the glory of our great grandparents and ancestors who left their marks everywhere.
As the Kingdom takes pride in local vendors, young artists and entrepreneurs, that his majesty Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa have always been the biggest supporter for, young locals took his highness’s words as a mantra to work hard and achieve every dream, and turn every blueprint into a reality of their own. His Highness emphasized and continues to inspire the young, as he considers them the country’s most valuable asset. And with that, young Bahraini entrepreneurs delivered and assured that pride will be the mirror that reflects the country’s future of prosperity and development. And that’s how Muharraq Nights turned into a celebration of the past, present, and future through local entrepreneurs and dreamers who are thriving and striving to keep their promise to the Kingdom. Through hard word, determination and endless dedication, Bahraini youths have been on top of every tier of success, for they have been taught that fulfillment and glory comes through them.
As one crosses the pearl pathway in the event, visitors would be welcomed by the traditional Bahraini music that everyone takes pride in. It’s the joy of the rhythm and the beat that tells a story of grief and a sense of wonder that makes it all a worthwhile experience to watch and enjoy for few moments. And as one crosses to the right and left, one would be welcomed by the huge collections and variety of choices to eat, drink and shop from. From small local businesses, to other big ones. They all share the same motive of pride and productivity. And some of the familiar faces of local business owners and entrepreneurs present in the event are as follows.
Chweiha — usually means ‘A sip of Tea in Arabic’. Chweiha is a local business owned by a young entrepreneur who specializes in recreating the vintage style of tea and mixing modern taste with the classic styles of the past. Through the red paper cups and precisely chosen ingredients, tea speciality has become the finest art of this business that has been developing its products and services that meets every consumer’s taste and expectations. Every bite and sip of tea takes one to the past while being firmly rooted into the present day. That’s art in all its beauty and glorified form.
Bait Nasser — in Arabic it refers to “Nasser’s house”. It’s a traditional family home that incorporates the warmth of a traditional family who marked their roots and bases in this house, and made it a special home for their growing members. As for now, it has been transformed into a traditional retro restaurant that serves authentic yet modern dishes that linked the past with the taste of the present. As food is an essential part of knowing more about a particular culture and state, Bait Nasser never fails its visitors to have a glimpse of the Kingdom’s finest traditional taste with a mix of modern and contemporary charm that adds more to it.
Neo Books is one of the Kingdom’s finest and most popular bookstores, not only for its unique book selections. But also because of the pride that such a place holds in the community due to it being a local business that started small, and now is developing into a major and first place to go to when shopping for books. As they say, always support and shop local, and the Kingdom of Bahrain holds pride in such a thing.
Exhibitions:
- Bait Murad — Murad’s house
- Bait AlNamlity — AlNamlity House
- Bait Jamsheer — Jamsheer’s House
The listed above houses are now formed into exhibitions that allow visitors to view and relive the memories of the past through the walls that have held the once lived in family together. Through pictures, music and an authentic collection of artistry, visitors will experience the unique beauty of the past through the lens of the present. Every home is special in itself, and every room is a story told by those who lived and passed, leaving nothing but a beautiful memory of what has been, and what is yet to come and came.
This is the Kingdom of Bahrain, a country like no other. With an enlightened culture and the strong presence of historical diversity that has been passed from one generation to another, the custom of family is not something to be surprised of when in Bahrain. The Kingdom has turned into a unique destination, and home to every visitor regardless of their differences and background.
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