A total of 140 Bahraini children have joined a global initiative to make the biggest painting in the world that will be showcased at the Olympic Games in London next year.

Similar contributions are being made in 57 other countries, where children get together and add their own creativity.

'The full-size artwork will be assembled, folded and sent through DHL to London,' said Salman Cultural Centre head and project spokeswoman Salama Ateeq.

'Bahrain's part of the entire massive painting will then be collected and sewn with works from other countries to create one big painting.'

The Bahraini children's contribution to the Biggest Painting in the World project is a 5 metres by 25 metres artwork that utilised 20 gallons of wall paint.

The project was organised at the centre, which falls under the umbrella of the General Organisation for Youth and Sport (Goys), in co-ordination with Japan-based non-profit organisation Earth Identity Project.

The canvas, which took over a month to prepare and complete, included the contribution of children aged between three and six years.

'The children taking part were from the Education Ministry's Gifted Students Centre and the Human Rights and Social Development Ministry's Children and Youngsters Club,' said Ms Ateeq.

The artwork, which featured Bahrain's landmarks, nature and tradition, was sent yesterday with the names of all the children.

The objective of the project is to have children of various countries, religions and ethnic groups share the joy of completing the biggest piece in the world, said organisers.

This is in addition to fostering awareness among children on the environment, art, culture and world peace. Following the London Olympic Games in August next year, the painting will be compressed and capsulated as a gift for future children.

A Goys official said they continuously seek to organise activities and programmes to nurture young talents and prepare an aware generation that contributes to the future development of Bahrain.

The event, sponsored by Zain Bahrain, was also supervised by fine arts specialists and teachers. – TradeArabia News Service