Bahrain is witnessing these days an escalating creative wave, which penetrates into various fields, and is reflected in the form of living national integration between state institutions, governmental and private ones, this integration is no longer just functional coordination, but rather turned into a strategic philosophy that is rooted expressing the essence of loyalty and belonging, and the deep desire to achieve excellence at the global level, not by slogans but rather, not, not in theoretical but with achievements.
Every day, the features of a new achievement, beating life on the ground, are manifested in front of us, not only in terms of the service or material value it provides, but in terms of the deep symbolic messages that he carries, which affects the conscience of the citizen, resident and tourist alike, it is beauty when it becomes institutional practice, and creativity when it is a mirror of the spirit of a nation.
In this context, the experience of the “Waming and Peace” painting “that was recently raised at the Bahrain International Airport, as one of the most prominent expressive manifestations of Bahraini identity in its best form, this painting is not just an artwork that decorates a public space, but rather is the visual embodiment of the essence of the human message that Bahrain believes in, and works to consolidate it by all means.
This painting has made from the moment the visitor entering the Bahrain airport is an emotional experience, which goes beyond the aesthetic form to a welcome message bearing cultural, human, and spiritual dimensions, it is a transit card towards a country that is not satisfied with welcoming, but the next feels that he enters a house that he knows, embraces him, and reads his soul at first sight.
The launch of this creative initiative came in a synchronous festive atmosphere with the 2025 “Formula 1” race, as a smart signal to harmony between the official effort and the spirit of international event, a harmonious harmony that we have seen clear through the concerted efforts of different ministries and institutions, each within his jurisdiction, to create an integrated experience that dazzles the visitor from the moment of his arrival until his departure.
Among the most prominent features of this harmony is the global Bahrain International Airport in the Sky Trax Awards for the year 2025, as it won the third place globally in terms of passport services, which reflects the efficiency of procedures and the smooth dealing. He also ranked third regionally among the best airports in the Middle East, and the fourth globally in the speed of delivery of luggage, and the fifth as one of the most suitable airports for families, as well as obtaining the title of “cleaner of an airport in the Middle East”, and crowning it as the best global airport in the category of 5-10 million passengers, these indicators did not coincidentally, but rather are fruits for a complete vision that is managed with high craftsmanship and the will that is not known.
These achievements are not limited to prizes, but extend to the experience of the visitor himself, who touches from the moment he entered something different, manifested in the faces, in dealing, and in the general scene that suggests a welcome mixed with identity.
Three days of “Formula 1”, sufficient to show the world the face of the multiple Bahrain: the face of sport and art, the face of the family and hospitality, the face of a living culture that does not show itself, but rather lives within the details, from “harmony and peace” in the air of the airport, to the sands of the desert that are vibrant in colors, music and events, the integrated and upscale scene, with deep connotations.
If we look at the numbers, it is accurately translating this spirit: more than 11.3 million visitors received by Bahrain during the year 2024, an increase of 28% over the previous year, while Bahrain Airport received more than 9.8 million passengers, achieving a growth in air traffic by more than 35%. These numbers refute any perception that what is happening is a “temporary boom”, but rather confirms that it is a result of strategic planning, a long -term investment in infrastructure and national identity alike.
On the international level, Bahrain ranked first in the Arab world in the government efficiency index for the year 2024, according to the report of the International Institute for Administrative Development, and ranked third in the Arab world in the global innovation index in the culture and art sector, and also classified among the five best countries in the Middle East in terms of government support for creative projects, according to the UNESCO report on creative industries in the region.
All these indicators constitute elements in a greater equation, the title that Bahrain is no longer only a transit station, but has become a fascination station, and this is not achieved by chance, but because it stems from a national vision that believes that art is not a luxury, and culture is not exclusive to elites, and identity is not a rigid material, but a renewed spirit, which opens its arms to the world.
“Harmony and Peace” is not a painting, not even a technical welcome card, it is a strategic embodiment of the philosophy of soft power, which Bahrain is practicing professionally, as someone knows very well that influence in this world is not measured only by the size of geography or wealth, but by the extent of what it gives from real meanings that lives in the memory of the visitor after leaving, so Bahrain reveals its true face: the face of peace, the face of creativity, the face of man Bahrain chooses to be amazed in the world quietly, and write its name in the record of the inspiring countries, not only with its achievements, but how to present it to the world.
* Media and academic researcher
