Special Issue - World Heritage in Bahrain

This year, for its 42nd session, the World Heritage Committee is hosted by Bahrain in its capital city of Manama. Bahrain has long dedicated its support to the World Heritage Convention, and already chaired the Committee for its 35th session in 2011, at UNESCO Headquarters.

Bahrain is also home to the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, a Category 2 Centre working under the auspices of UNESCO, providing support for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in 18 countries in the region.

In this issue, we take an in-depth look at Bahrain’s two World Heritage sites, Qal’at al-Bahrain – Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun, and Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy.

Articles on Qal’at al-Bahrain, the ancient harbour and capital of the Dilmun civilization, retrace the history of the site, and describe efforts to balance heritage preservation with development, by conducting heritage impact assessments among other measures. And we see that the Qal’at al-Bahrain Site Museum is an excellent example of an interpretation centre developed with a clear focus on the Outstanding Universal Value of a site.

We present fascinating descriptions of life in Bahrain when the pearling industry was at its peak, and also examine the current conservation and management of the pearl oyster beds (known locally as Hayrs). An article on the future vision for the Pearling World Heritage site explains how plans for thoughtful adaptation of the site will foster appreciation for it, and also serve as a catalyst for the rehabilitation of the Old City of Muharraq.

We are also pleased to include a message from the Chair of the World Heritage Committee, Shaikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, and an interview with Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities.

We are very grateful to Bahrain for its generosity in hosting this session of the World Heritage Committee. Such support is what makes the work of the World Heritage Committee possible.

Mechtild Rössler
Director
UNESCO World Heritage Centre