The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) has launched a specialised workshop that focuses on ceramic glazing as part of its handicrafts training workshops which featured several handicrafts sessions and training throughout the year.

The aim of this initiative is to establish a sustainable workforce in the handicrafts industry which can play a prominent factor in developing tourism, showcasing the national identity of Bahrain, and proving unique products for visitors that reflect Bahrain’s culture, BTEA said.

The workshop took place in Al Jassrah Training Centre for Handicrafts, and was hosted by Sadoq Abd AlAli, an established artist with long-standing expertise in ceramic glazing and in training on how to use glass colours and draw shapes and styling on ceramic pottery.

The workshop ran for three weeks between February 5 and 23 and included 60 hours of extensive training daily from 4 pm and 8 pm. The participants of the workshop included 20 trainees with different backgrounds and experiences.

Shaikha Wafa Saif Al Khalifa, the director of Handicrafts Directorate at BTEA, said: “We are excited to have hosted this new workshop as part of our handicrafts training programs. Our aim is to improve and develop the national workforce and help preserve the handicraft sector, a sector that has proved to be vital in enhancing Bahrain’s new identity – ‘Bahrain Ours. Yours’. The handicrafts sector is also paramount to further boosting the tourism sector in line with the BTEA’s goals and direction.” – TradeArabia News Service