Colours of the kingdom

A one-of-a-kind colouring book showcasing work by Bahraini artists is bringing joy and cheer to children across the kingdom while raising funds for worthy causes.

More than 700 copies of the Bahrainuna colouring book, which translates to ‘One Bahrain’ in Arabic, have been distributed amongst children in orphanages and special needs centres all over the kingdom, since the project started a year ago.

Bahraini artist Shahrazad Almoudeh spearheaded the initiative to offer children isolated from loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic a chance to delve into their creative talents and appreciate Bahrain through an artistic lens.

“It was heart-breaking to see the massive overnight shift which took place in the lives of countless children,” Shahrazad told GulfWeekly.

“By initiating such a project, we wanted to encourage them to do something therapeutic like colouring while taking time off their screens and educating themselves about this beautiful island we are all so lucky to call home.”

Shahrazad called on artists around the island through one%, the Bahraini local volunteering platform, to come together and contribute their skills towards producing a two-part colouring book.

“Within two weeks of launching the campaign, we had enough drawings for two colouring books,” the 35-year-old community champion and jewellery artist added, noting that the second part has yet to be released.

Bahrainuna offers children a chance to colour in drawings illustrating the beauty of the kingdom’s culture and heritage, from sketches of date trees and people in traditional clothing, to F1 racing cars.

Renowned artists from across the kingdom who contributed their talent and time include Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) director-general Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, Bahraini-Palestinian artist Karima Sharabi and internationally-recognised Manama-born artist Nabila Al Khayer.

All proceeds from the sales of Bahrainuna are earmarked for worthy charities, according to Shahrazad. So far, the Bahrainuna project has also donated 700 copies to children’s charities.

Half of these, along with Bahraini seashells, went to the Children’s Cancer Centre in Lebanon (CCCL) which was devastated in August last year, after a massive explosion in Beirut caused at least 207 deaths, 7,500 injuries, US$27 billion in property damages, dealing a severe blow to the CCCL.

“I decided to arrange an auction, again with the help of my friends, to raise funds to rebuild the centre,” explained Shahrazad, co-owner of Sherie Boutik, which worked with one% and FA Holding to bring Bahrainuna to life.

“We managed to raise BD 20,000! In addition, we decided to donate the books and shells to boost the children’s morale during such a traumatic time in their lives.”

Shahrazad has also donated copies to Smile of Bahrain, Dream Society, Al Sanabel Orphanage, NBB House, as well as the ‘Handmade Hugs’ drive recently featured in GulfWeekly.

Their most recent donation was to Al Kawther Society as part of an Eid giveaway and included handmade cards done by the artists for each child.

This initiative is the latest in a long line by Shahrazad, who has grown up in an artistic environment, surrounded by the charity practiced by her mother and business partner Soheila, as well as her father, Amir.

“The most rewarding part of it all was the difference it made to the children and the overwhelming support of my dear friends, the art community and everyone who made the effort to bring this project to life,” said Shahrazad delightfully.

Quoting Disney’s Cinderella, she urges children affected in the crises of this past year to ‘have faith in your dreams and some day your rainbow will come shining through’.

For details, follow  @sherieboutik and  @onepercent.app on Instagram.