Glorious culture

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) staged a two-day pop-up event showcasing different designs to mark Eid Al Fitr celebrations as well as to officially launch a redeveloped suq in Muharraq.

Suq Al Qaysariyyah, which is located in one of the oldest parts of Suq Al Muharraq, was once a ‘women’s only market’ up until the 1980s.

It has been given a new lease on life with a contemporary design cleverly maintaining its traditional architectural appeal.

The suq, which features shops displaying folkloric wooden doors, Islamic architecture and Arabic signage, is also part of the Pearling Path – a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)  World Heritage Site.

“It is vital to save these traditional elements within the heritage city of Muharraq,” said Baca culture and art director-general Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Hala added that every city has its own characteristics and Bahrain, with its list of cultural sites, traditional suqs and World Heritage Sites, stands out above the crowd.

“Every city has its magical elements and we want to make sure that the magic that we have within our fabric here in Bahrain is shown and celebrated,” she added.

The suq is located at the entrance of Muharraq traditional market and authorities have set up signs with plans in place for a dedicated parking lot in the vicinity.

The pop-up featured contemporary shops, designed by Studio Anne Holtrop, to highlight fashion, jewellery, cafes and other outlets by local designers.

Among them was Ayadi Relief. The youth-led humanitarian non-governmental organisation sold different ‘Made in Bahrain’ products and the proceeds will help fund its projects and operational costs.

Ayadi Relief co-ordinator Shaikha Showaiter, who is welcoming the revitalisation of traditional bazaars in Bahrain, said: “I think it’s important to see traditional set-ups being revived in different neighbourhoods and it also encourages young designers to be part of this redevelopment.”

Scottish designer Mhairi Boyle, who has been working with Bani Jamra Naseej Factory which is renowned for its selection of textiles, showcased traditional fabrics.

“I think it’s important for Bahrain brands, and the traditional handicraft industry, to be revived and given a more modern touch,” said Mhairi. “There are four designers showcasing different products. It’s good to see people visiting this Suq to view unique pieces.”

When visitors were finished admiring the pop-up, they then checked out the traditional shops in the Suq.

Ali Hassan, who runs a traditional Bahraini spice store called Farjan Al Muharraq, which was once a textile store run by his grandfather, said: “Many old traders like me have embraced modernity to keep up with the times but we still want to support our cultural identity.”

According to Ali, in 1982 the shops were making more than BD200 daily reflecting the bazaar’s popularity especially among women.

Indian Babu Ravindran is one of the most respected workers in the traditional suq. He has been working at Al Moaqadmah Accessories and Perfumes for the past 40 years.

He said: “This is one of the oldest shops that used to sell perfumes back in the 1960s. I recall that in a period of the 1970s and early 1980s, Suq Al Qaysariyyah was a ‘women’s only market,’ and there were three guards in their khaki uniforms always present to guard the market.

“We used to open the shop at about 9am, and then it was closed for prayer time and lunch, following which it was opened until 7pm.”

Studio Anne Holtrop were the architects in charge of the renovation and rehabilitation of the old suq.