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THOUSANDS of visitors captured the essence of the kingdom at the 16th Bahrain Heritage Festival held in the grounds of the Bahrain National Museum in Manama.
This year's week-long event was entitled 'Traditional Perfumery and Incense' and featured an array of traditional crafts, clothing, scents and food.
Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khailfa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and President of Supreme Council for Women opened the festival.
Also present were other members of the Royal Family, Parliament and Shura Council chiefs, ministers, senior officials and diplomats.
Information Minister Jihad Bukamal said that the festival was a huge success and attracted a large number of visitors.
He said: 'This festival has been running for 16 years and every year it has proved to be better than the last. The festival will continue to be held in the future as it promotes Bahrain's heritage and culture.'
Director of the festival Ibrahim Sanad said the event had a clear message to young generations to preserve and revive their national heritage.
The festival's organising committee allocated a special area at the heritage village for Bahraini craftsmen showcasing traditional perfumes production phases.
The festival also offered educational programmes on perfume-making.
Visitor George Abrial, 60, a consultant, from Juffair, said: 'I think this festival is quite nice. I have been living in Bahrain for 10 years and that is when I first discovered the festival. I try to go to as many festivals as I can.
'I am very interested in the different food at the festival. My favourite is the Arabic doughnut. The sweets are really nice. I also enjoy watching the Arabic dancing.'
Peter Green, 58, a consultant, also from Juffair, said: 'I love the cultural experience. I have been in Bahrain for four months now and am really enjoying it. The festival is a great introduction to the kingdom. The people here are really friendly and the food is good. I love the doughnuts. I would come here again next year.'
Former teacher Bee MacDonald, from Adliya, added: 'I am interested in the perfumes and trying to work out all the different styles. They have many fragrances and bukhoor so we were trying to figure out what was what.'
