The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), in collaboration with Bapco Energies, Bahrain’s integrated energy group, committed to strengthening energy security and advancing sustainability for future generations, has opened the Awali Exhibition at the Bahrain National Museum.
The opening was attended by Hala Mohamed Jaber Al Ansari, Advisor to His Majesty the King for Cultural and Scientific Affairs; Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Dainah, Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs; Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the State of Qatar; Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities; as well as officials from the Ministry of Oil and Environment, members of Bapco Energies’ executive management and prominent figures from Bahrain’s cultural scene.
The President of BACA said: "We are pleased to open the Awali Exhibition at the Bahrain National Museum. Awali holds a significant place in Bahrain’s modern history, representing a defining chapter in the country’s urban and social development. Its distinctive planning and architecture offer valuable insights into everyday life during a period of profound change."
He added: "We remain committed to strengthening partnerships that deepen public understanding of Bahrain’s history and architectural heritage. We greatly value the support of Bapco Energies and its continued commitment to cultural initiatives. Through this collaboration, we are able to shed light on an important chapter in our nation’s history and share its legacy with the wider public."
For his part, Mark Thomas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bapco Energies, expressed his pride in collaborating with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities to organise the exhibition. He noted that Awali forms an integral part of Bahrain’s modern history and is closely linked to the development of the Kingdom’s oil and energy industry. He added that the exhibition contributes to preserving the Kingdom’s heritage and documenting key milestones that have shaped Bahrain’s economic and social identity.
The exhibition traces the origins of Awali, from the early search for oil in the Jebel Dukhan area and the initial stages of construction in 1934 to its development into a planned town that brought together residential areas, workplaces, services and public facilities within a comprehensive urban plan. It also highlights Awali’s pioneering approaches to architecture, planning and infrastructure, which introduced new methods and technologies into everyday life in Bahrain at the time.
More than 90 years after construction began, Awali remains a thriving town, with its historic streets, houses, gardens and community facilities still in use. It stands as a living testament to an important period in Bahrain’s modern history and the changes that accompanied the emergence of the oil industry and helped shape everyday life across the Kingdom.