Campaign to save Al Riwaq Art Space

Manama : A group of art lovers have launched a campaign to save Al Riwaq Art Space at Adliya, which is being vacated to make way for a new restaurant. Al Riwaq was a platform for artists and art enthusiasts for the exchange of dialogue and exhibition of art works. It was started to support and promote art and to provide a space for emerging and established artists, both local and international. With the owner of the building now planning to close it down to facilitate a restaurant, a campaign #protectalriwaq has been launched on the social media. A meeting has been called on March 11 at the Al Riwaq where people who have been a part of the art space will gather to discuss the issue.

“Yes, it is true that art space is being shut as the lease of the contract is over and the owner now wants to build a restaurant there,” an employee of Al Riwaq Art Space said.

The issue has created a rage on social media with art enthusiasts tweeting @Sehamness: “Feed craving minds & souls rather than full stomachs #ProtectAlriwaq”.

“Al Riwaq is one of few art spaces in Bahrain, shutting it down would hurt young artists and creators, we don’t need more restaurants. #ProtectAlriwaq” @DigitalAbdullah tweeted.

“As a Bahrain based architect studio we stand to #ProtectAlriwaq” @MPintoBarbosaCo tweeted.