The third edition of the Youth Forum on Intangible Cultural Heritage opened on 20 October 2026. Organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) in coordination with the University of Bahrain, the event runs for three days and concludes on 22 October 2026.
A Baca official stated, "It reflects the richness of Bahrain’s musical heritage and embodies artistic and historical values passed down through generations." The official added, "Documenting and safeguarding this tradition is essential to preserving its distinctive artistic characteristics, ensuring its continued practice and passing on its knowledge to future generations." According to the official, "The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships between Baca and academic institutions, enabling young people to apply their knowledge and skills to safeguarding Bahrain’s cultural heritage."
University Students Join Documentation Effort
Twenty-eight students from the University of Bahrain's College of Arts are participating in the forum. These attendees are contributing to the documentation of Fan Al Sawt musical heritage throughout the three-day event. By engaging directly with the preservation process, the students apply academic research methods to the archival work overseen by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. This collaboration connects the University of Bahrain with ongoing efforts to record oral traditions and historical performance techniques. Participants work within the Bahrain National Museum to catalog regional musical styles, ensuring that digital and physical records remain accessible for future study. Their involvement represents a practical application of the partnership between academic institutions and cultural authorities in Bahrain.
Safeguarding Bahraini Musical Traditions
Students are documenting the traditional musical art of Fan Al Sawt to support the nomination file submitted by Bahrain to the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. A Baca official stated, "Fan Al Sawt is a cornerstone of traditional music in Bahrain and an integral part of its national cultural identity."
The forum activities align with the observation of the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which occurs annually on 17 October. By cataloging these musical traditions, the project aims to bolster the formal recognition of local performance techniques on the international stage. This documentation effort serves as a primary component of the current national strategy to secure Unesco status for the kingdom’s artistic practices.
