On the picture WMF Director Christopher Ohstrom, Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa, Queen Sofía of Spain and WMF President Bonnie Burnham – Picture by Agencia EFE.
21 October 2015, New York City: World Monuments Fund (WMF) honoured Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain, Princess of Greece, and Her Excellency Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, at the XXVIII annual Hadrian Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, USA.
Queen Sofía was hailed for her commitment in revitalising Ibero-American culture and identities in her role as Honorary Patron of Hispania Nostra as well as the “Premio Internacional Reina Sofía de Conservación y Restauración de Bienes Culturales”.
The Watch Award in recognition of the singular role played in the preservation and protection of world heritage, particularly traditional Bahraini culture and heritage went to Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa. She launched the nationwide ‘Invest in Culture’ initiative, building an unprecedented partnership between the private and public sectors for heritage preservation, leading to the establishment of the Bahrain Fort Site Museum and the Bahrain National Theatre (key cultural tourism attractions in the island kingdom).
Through her examples as historian, scholar, and activist, Her Excellency is also a symbol of empowerment for women. As noted in a congratulatory message sent by Bahrain’s First Lady, HRH Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa she is the first “Arab personality to win the award in recognition of her leading role in the preservation of humanitarian and cultural heritage”.
World Monuments Fund is a NGO founded in 1965 by persons preoccupied with the destruction of important artistic and heritage sites throughout the world.
For more information:
World Monuments Fund: www.wmf.org
Hadrian Award on the website of the Spanish Royal House: www.casareal.es/ES/
Speech of Queen Sofía of Spain: www.casareal.es/ES/
Congratulations for Sheikha Mai Al Khalifa by the Chair of the Supreme Council for Women, HRH Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa: www.scw.gov.bh/news.
