Bahrain Culture Authority Joins GCC Ministers of Culture Meeting in Kuwait

Khoshnaw Rahmani, Jadetimes Staff

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering culture.

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Image Source: Isahq Madan

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) has actively participated in the 29th Meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Kuwait in October 2025. The gathering brought together cultural leaders from across the Gulf to strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise, and advance joint initiatives that safeguard and promote the region’s shared heritage.

Bahrain’s Representation

Bahrain was represented by Farah Mohammed Mattar, Director General of Culture and Museums at BACA. Her participation underscored Bahrain’s commitment to regional cultural diplomacy and to advancing the Kingdom’s role as a hub for heritage preservation, creative industries, and intercultural dialogue.

Meeting Highlights

The agenda of the GCC Ministers of Culture meeting included a wide range of cultural, artistic, and heritage-related issues. Key themes included:

• Strengthening the unified Gulf cultural identity through collaborative projects and shared narratives.

• Reviewing joint cultural initiatives, including exhibitions, festivals, and heritage documentation programs.

• Supporting creative industries as drivers of economic diversification and youth engagement.

• Promoting cultural diplomacy by coordinating Gulf participation in international cultural forums.

The meeting coincided with Kuwait’s designation as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media for 2025, adding symbolic weight to the discussions and highlighting the Gulf’s growing role in regional cultural leadership.

Bahrain’s Cultural Vision

Bahrain’s participation reflects its broader cultural strategy, which emphasizes:

• Heritage preservation: Protecting archaeological sites, museums, and intangible traditions.

• Creative economy: Supporting artists, designers, and cultural entrepreneurs as part of economic diversification.

• Regional cooperation: Building stronger cultural ties with GCC neighbors to amplify the Gulf’s global cultural presence.

• Youth and education: Integrating cultural programs into schools and universities to nurture the next generation of cultural leaders.

Through BACA, Bahrain continues to position itself as a cultural bridge—linking Gulf heritage with global audiences while fostering innovation at home.

Significance of the Meeting

The GCC Ministers of Culture meeting serves as a strategic platform for aligning cultural policies across the Gulf. For Bahrain, it provides:

• A chance to showcase national achievements in heritage and cultural programming.

• An opportunity to influence regional cultural policy and ensure Bahraini priorities are reflected in GCC strategies.

• A forum to strengthen bilateral ties with Kuwait and other Gulf states through cultural diplomacy.

By participating, Bahrain reinforces its role as a committed partner in shaping a unified Gulf cultural identity that balances tradition with modernity.

The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities’ participation in the GCC Ministers of Culture meeting in Kuwait highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to cultural cooperation, heritage preservation, and creative innovation. As the Gulf continues to expand its cultural footprint, Bahrain’s active engagement ensures that its voice and vision remain central to the region’s shared cultural future.