Al-Haiki makes Bahrain proud
Renowned Bahraini artist Abdullah Al-Haiki represented the Kingdom of Bahrain at the World Wood Day 2025 celebrations held in Osaka, Japan, where he showcased a unique collection of artworks reflecting the rich heritage of Bahraini wood carving and cane craftsmanship.
His participation is part of ongoing national efforts to promote Bahraini handicrafts on the international stage.
Al-Haiki, widely regarded as one of Bahrain's leading traditional craftsmen, is known for blending authentic techniques with artistic innovation, making his work stand out in the global arena.
The event drew significant international attention, with artists and enthusiasts from around the world in attendance.
Bahrain's presence garnered particular praise, especially with the participation of Mahdi Al-Haiki, the youngest attendee at the event and son of the veteran artist.
Mahdi captivated audiences with his talent and active involvement in the event's workshops, further emphasizing the enduring legacy of Bahraini craftsmanship across generations.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Weekly
an hour ago
- Gulf Weekly
Shields up!
A beloved children's book written by a Bahraini author has been made into a cartoon series, and officially released this week, teaching young minds valuable lessons in gratitude, integrity, patience and more. Faris wa drou'oh Al-asher ('Faris and his 10 shields') penned by Nada Fardan hit the shelves back in 2015, and is a collection of 10 short stories, each dedicated to a particular 'shield' or virtue. The Sanad resident had originally submitted her work at the popular Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity and after receiving a positive feedback and praise from the jury, decided to publish it. However, the idea for it to be adapted as an animated series Durro'a Al-Faris ('knight's shields') struck last year after Saudi writer Fahad Al-Qahtani reached out to Ms Fardan, and the duo worked with animation company Cartologia to bring the tales alive in a rhyme format. Over the last year, three of the 10 episodes were created and the first episode of the series was screened at Abdulrahman Kanoo Cultural Centre in Riffa during an event. It also featured a themed competition for children, an interactive session singing the rhyme featured in the cartoon, and a book signing, among other things. Nada emphasised that the series delivers authentic Arabic content rooted in local cultural and environmental values. 'I'm thrilled to see that my story will now reach a wider audience,' Nada told GulfWeekly. 'Our goal is to reinforce identity, instill a sense of belonging, and present engaging, value-driven stories that maintain the simplicity and excitement children love. 'This is a big project and we're in the process of working on the remaining episodes. The first three are available on my YouTube channel (@al-nadaworkshops),' the 39-year-old added. The series revolves around young Faris ('knight' in Arabic), who faces life's battles with unwavering courage and resilience thanks to his shields or virtues that guide him – the Shield of Self-Confidence, which empowers Faris to believe in himself; the Shield of Cultural Difference, which celebrates diversity and understanding; and the Shield of Gratitude, fostering appreciation, among others. According to the architect-turned-full-time-author, she always strives to write stories that can resonate with children from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, with some of her books featuring characters with special needs, nodding to her inclusive approach. One of her recent titles Manba'a Al-Jood ('source of bounty') was officially unveiled at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival this year and highlights the idea that something good can only be built on strong, noble foundations. Her first children's book One Trunk Away – the heartwarming tale of Harry, a young elephant, and his mother, who gently encourages him to face new challenges on his own – also released this year. 'We are considering having English subtitles for the animated series (Durro'a Al-Faris), so more children can enjoy it,' Nada revealed. Other books by the author include Faris fi zaman Al-goos ('Faris in the Pearling Age'), Ebtisamet Shamoosa ('Sunny Smile'), and Hamama Nodi ('Nodi the dove').
Gulf Weekly
an hour ago
- Gulf Weekly
Picture purr-fect!
melissa@ Cats are emerging as the 'meow'se of choice, inspiring many artists in Bahrain and posing the question: why do felines continue to claw their way into our paintings, literature and culture, coinciding with International Cat Day tomorrow. Whether it is Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland (1865), Japanese author Syou Ishida's We'll Prescribe You a Cat (2024), French Art Nouveau painter Théophile Steinlen's iconic Le Chat Noir (the black cat) poster (1896), or Freddie Mercury's musical tribute Delilah (1991) to his favourite namesake companion, cats have been an integral part of the art that we have been consuming for centuries. Even in Bahraini culture, these critters often appear in old tales, according to comic artist and illustrator from Muharraq Zainab Almahdi. 'Cats often appear in Bahraini and regional folklore as vessels for jinn and other spirits,' the 27-year-old told GulfWeekly. 'In my art, cats feature either as the main subjects, or I hide them in different parts of my work,' added the creative talent, who draws both regular and anthropomorphic cats. 'They are flexible, animated and silly, lend themselves to cartoon illustration, and automatically bring a sense of whimsy to any art piece. You can use cats to reframe ordinary scenes in art. For example, if I dress up a cat in traditional dress, suddenly the readers start paying attention to the piece, and, in turn, the message I am trying to convey,' explained the GDN reporter. Filipino expatriate and artist Heidee Gragas-Galas from Juffair enjoys bringing cats alive in her creations because they're 'cute' and they carry a 'soft, graceful elegance' that she believes reflects a 'feminine, calming energy'. 'Cats have a soft, quiet presence that feels delicate but confident, which pairs beautifully with florals in my work,' said Heidee. Growing up, the 33-year-old had a cat at home, which helped her develop a personal connection with the animal, naturally influencing her work. 'I remember stories from my elders saying cats can sense spirits or bring luck depending on their colour,' Heidee said. 'In art and books, they often show up as symbols of independence, grace or even magic. That mix of the real and the mythical fascinates me and makes them timeless subjects to paint,' she added. Renowned Bahraini artist Ebrahim Busaad's popular Sleeping Cats exhibition in 2016 struck a chord with both art and feline enthusiasts at the time. The striking pieces, including Rajul Al Qut ('the cat man'), Murdi'at Al Shar ('nurser of evil') and Al Hilm Al Azraq ('the blue dream') continue to wow fans even today, with many vocalising their applause on the artist's Instagram posts. In the collection, the founding member of the Bahrain Art Society brought alive the 'infidel' nature of the cat, using his distinct style of elegant lines and vibrant hues. The works also reflect the architectural elements and the decorative motifs that characterised the city of Muharraq, his hometown. The Sleeping Cats paintings are based on a recurring dream Ebrahim had about his cat. 'At the age of six, my grandmother gifted me a cat. For the first time, I had a companion,' the 71-year-old revealed – a sentiment that famous novelist and cat lover Charles Dickens shared, when he said, 'What greater gift than the love of a cat?'
Gulf Insider
20 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
2nd Bahrain Summer Toy Festival Concludes, Attracting Over 120,000 Visitors
Approximately 120,000 residents and tourists visited the 2nd edition of the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced as the event drew to a close. The festival was held in strategic partnership with Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre and the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). Dana Osama Al Saad, Deputy CEO for Resources and Projects at the BTEA, said that the festival's reputation as an exceptional entertainment experience for all the family was further cemented in its second consecutive year. Now a key event on Bahrain's events calendar, the festival is helping to diversify the Kingdom's tourism offerings and consolidating its positioning as a preferred destination for Gulf families during the summer season. Al Saad said that the festival's success was evident by the large attendance it witnessed over the course of its six weeks, as well as improvements to the quality of its offerings which resulted in doubling the venue space this year, as well as attracting a larger number of celebrities, shows, and concerts. Tickets, which were issued based on the venue's physical capacity, sold out early on most days. She noted the widespread acclaim the event received from festival goers, especially citizens and residents coming from other GCC countries. She praised the pivotal role played by 180 Bahraini volunteers in organizing the festival to such a high standard. In an effort to promote social responsibility, the Bahrain Summer Toy Festival also hosted a number of charity organizations and national initiatives, including the Royal Fund for Fallen Servicemen (RFFS), the Royal Humanitarian Foundation (RHF), the Bahrain Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled (BAPF), the Al Sanabel Orphans Care Society, the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society (BDSS), the Bahrain Autistic Society, and the Bahrain Deaf Society.
