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The art and music scene in Bahrain has received a huge boost this month as a cultural celebration in a cosy space in Adliya has showcased artwork, handicrafts, food and live entertainment by local talent.
Al Riwaq Art Space’s project, dubbed The Nest, was created to promote and realise the potential of Bahrain’s artists and musicians and to present it publicly to all levels of society. The current public arts festival dates back to 2010, where it began as ‘Alwan 338’ and ‘Market 338’, before fusing the two together.
Enthusiasts have been flocking to the Block 338 hotspot, located behind ‘shawarma alley’, to enjoy the array of 19 bazaars and market stalls that have invaded the area.
More than 3,000 visitors have been predicted for the event, with many of those visiting from neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Hadeel Eltayeb, arts manager for Al Riwaq, said: “We are delighted that the opening weekend of The Nest 2015 was our biggest yet! It’s in no small part connected to all the public art that has been popping up and rapidly expanding across all the Adliya neighbourhood for the past few months, drawing in the curious.
“The team at Al Riwaq have been working hard since May 2015 to programme in advance, challenging ourselves to create a bigger and better event than last year.
“Our goal with The Nest is to build sustainable, long-term relationships with the creative communities in Bahrain – artists, designers and creative professionals – and connect them with each other.”
Wherever one walks in The Nest, there is a different branch of fine art on display. From educational workshops teaching newcomers about art, to block printing, textiles, urban design and sewing, there is something for everyone to try their hand at.
My particular favourite piece was a Super Mario mural … except instead of donning the red dungarees, this Mario was dressed in a thobe. The level of detail, care, and respect for the source material was amazing as Mario was depicted jumping across platforms while trying to hit the ‘? Blocks’ and avoiding famous nemeses like the Piranha Plant.
I also had the chance to witness some of the live musical acts, many of whom were performing on stage for the first time, while others were returning to their favourite arena.
Majaz, a local progressive folk band who were making their fifth appearance at the event, wowed an audience of more than 200 by playing a mix of original songs and quirky covers of famous classics.
Salah Alawi, the group’s bassist, said: “The vibe was outstanding. We felt that our talents could be shown at The Nest in front of an appreciative crowd, without any pressure.
“The crowd were excited to have an outdoor music event and they really interacted with us, both long-time fans and new ones hearing us for the first time.
“The Nest has been fantastic in giving hidden talent a show in Bahrain. Most bands would love to show off their music but rarely get a chance as there aren’t too many local events for musicians. We strongly believe that The Nest is the right place for our music and we can’t wait to come back as the event gets bigger and better every year.”
As always, the artwork on display encompassed many different styles, from realism, to abstract and in many cases, a mixture of the two.
But looking at things wasn’t the only attraction at The Nest, as the various food stalls caught my eye, such as a stall selling a wide variety of teas and infusions, including passion fruit and ginger, pina-coco and Bahraini iced tea.
For those wanting warming up during the colder weather, a hot cocoa and coffee stand served beverages spruced up with spices and sweet substances to provide a local twist.
With a month of celebrations planned until the final day on January 9, there is truly something for everyone in this warm cultural heart of the island. Whether it’s art, crafting or food, you’ll find a golden egg at The Nest.
