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'THE Mariner', a photography exhibition organised by the General Organisation of Sea Ports (GOP) in partnership with KSDi, is being held as part of the Bahrain Maritime Festival, the kingdom's landmark celebration of the World Maritime Day which runs until Saturday.
Under the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) 2010 theme of the Year of the Seafarer, this year's event will include activities specifically geared to past, current and future generations of Bahraini sea-goers.
This unique photo exhibition will be launched today by GOP chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa at Bahrain City Centre, with guests from the maritime and business industries, diplomatic corps, government ministries and agencies, media and GOP board members and management.
The photography exhibition will feature an exclusive collection of historic and contemporary maritime images dating back to the 1940s from KSDi's vintage archive, some of which have never been published before.
Shaikh Daij said: "This unique opportunity to visually experience Bahrain's maritime history through vintage imagery should act as a catalyst not only to celebrate our history, but to encourage interested individuals to explore the opportunities available within this industry. In addition to showcasing the history of Bahrain's maritime legacy to the public, we believe this event will contribute to further boosting Bahrain's standing in the global maritime landscape."
As reported in GulfWeekly, the Bahrain Maritime Festival (BMF) has been launched this year by the GOP to enable Bahrain to join other global members of the IMO to celebrate World Maritime Day.
Each year, the World Maritime Day is held under a different theme; this year's theme, 'The Year of the Seafarer' aims to spread greater awareness of the maritime industry and focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment, paying tribute to the 1.5 million seafarers all over the globe for their unique contribution to society and in recognition of the risks they shoulder in the execution of their duties.
In addition to the photography exhibition, the festival's activities include the 'Year of the Seafarer' awards ceremony honouring long-serving Bahraini seafarers.
Another activity being planned during the festival week is 'Careers in Maritime'. This event is being organised with strategic partner Tamkeen, to generate increased employment opportunities for Bahrainis. It will include a tour of universities by speakers and representatives from GOP, APM Terminals Bahrain, the operator of Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), and Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co (ASRY), the event's strategic partners, in addition to Tamkeen.
The purpose behind the tour is to encourage a larger proportion of Bahraini students to pursue careers in the maritime industry, thereby strengthening the industry and Bahrain's international position as a maritime centre.
The APM seafarers' welfare day will take place during the festival week, where free medical check-ups will be provided to all incoming seafarers. In addition, a blood drive will be held for seafarers, port and GOP staff.
Khalifa Shaheen from KSDi said: "As islanders we owe our cultural diversity to the sea. Our wealth was created in and distributed across the sea, in the form of pearls, long before the Wright Brothers ever flew. The sea has fed us and protected us, and today it continues to play a major role in our lives as do the men and women of the seafaring communities. KSDi is proud to be associated with and pay tribute to 'The Mariners' on whom we all depend."
All visitors are welcome to visit the exhibition pavilion at the Bahrain City Centre everyday during the period between Wednesday and Saturday during the mall's opening hours at the gallery area on the ground floor.
