By: Nanju Francisco
Photos by: Von Francisco
Manama: Marking a landmark chapter in regional cultural diplomacy, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities(BACA), in close partnership with the UAE’s Zayed National Museum, hosted an exclusive cultural showcase on Saturday, July 4, at the Bahrain National Museum Lecture Hall.
The high-profile event, which drew prominent cultural figures and members of the public, celebrated the deeply rooted historical, economic, and social networks that have connected the Kingdom of Bahrain (Ancient Dilmun) and the United Arab Emirates (Ancient Magan) across the Arabian Gulf for millennia.
The evening commenced with a distinguished presentation titled “Zayed National Museum: Celebrating the Ancient Ties Between Magan & Dilmun,” led by an esteemed delegation from the Zayed National Museum. Key insights were shared by Professor Noura Al Mubarak (Head of the Department of Institutional and International Relations), Professor Aisha Al Mansouri (Assistant Museum Curator), and Dr. Emma Thompson (Head of the Acquisitions and Commissions Department). Following the presentation, attendees were treated to a captivating screening of the documentary film “A Bronze Age Boat Sails Again,” which meticulously chronicles the maritime heritage and ancient boat-building techniques utilized by the region’s earliest seafaring ancestors.
Concluding the evening’s program, an engaging Q&A session was held immediately following the film viewing, allowing audience members to interact directly with the visiting experts and delve deeper into the shared historical narratives.
This initiative marks the inaugural collaboration between the Bahrain National Museum and the Zayed National Museum since the latter’s highly anticipated grand opening last year. Beyond archival education, this partnership represents a dynamic, active exchange of heritage. Notably, the ZayedNational Museum is currently hosting 19 rare, distinguished artifacts from Bahrain’s Dilmun and Tylos civilizations. This exceptional showcase represents the largest international loan extended by the Bahrain National Museum to date.
Looking to the future, the cultural alliance between the two nations will extend directly into the field. Joint teams are currently preparing for extensive archaeological excavations at the Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), a registered UNESCO World Heritage site, to uncover further secrets of these ancient civilizations.
Additionally, both institutions confirmed that a joint research project is scheduled to officially launch in the final quarter of 2026, further solidifying a shared commitment to scientific discovery and heritage preservation.
