Bahrain International Garden Show
The Seed of the Idea
Historically, Bahrain was renowned for its fertile lands, abundant water sources, and prolific produce, earning it the reputation of a lush garden. Historical records reveal that Bahrain was famous for its freshwater springs both on land and at sea. The Bahraini people’s deep affection for agriculture led to their dedication and the rich harvests of dates, various vegetables, and fruits, which played a crucial role inmeeting many of their essential needs.
Agriculture saw significant advancements from the 1950s onwards, with an expansion in cultivated land. This progress can be attributed to the efforts of numerous Bahraini leaders, notably Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who ruled Bahrain from 1942 to 1961. Under his reign, agriculture gained prominent place among government projects aimed at benefiting the citizens.
Since 1954, Bahrain has organized biennial agricultural exhibitions in the Eastern Salmaniya Garden for farmers and traders. The ruler would inaugurate the exhibitions and award the winners. During the reign of the late Emir Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who governed Bahrain from 1961 to 1999, there was a heightened focus on organizing agricultural exhibitions. This interest surged after the establishment of the Bahrain Garden Club in 1965, which enjoyed the privilege of the late Emir’s honorary presidency. Sheikh Isa annually patronized and inaugurated the flower and vegetable exhibition organized by the Bahrain Garden Club from 1967 until his passing.
Historically, Bahrain was renowned for its fertile lands, abundant water sources, and prolific produce, earning it the reputation of a lush garden. Historical records reveal that Bahrain was famous for its freshwater springs both on land and at sea.
The Bahraini people’s deep affection for agriculture led to their dedication and the rich harvests of dates, various vegetables, and fruits, which played a crucial role inmeeting many of their essential needs. Agriculture saw significant advancements from the 1950s onwards, with an expansion in cultivated land. This progress can be attributed to the efforts of numerous Bahraini leaders, notably Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who ruled Bahrain from 1942 to 1961. Under his reign, agriculture gained prominent place among government projects aimed at benefiting the citizens.
From 1966 to 1970, the Bahrain Garden Club held the flower and vegetable exhibition at Juffair Cinema. Due to the growing number of participants and the increasing volume of flowers imported from Europe, the Middle East, India, and Australia, the exhibition moved to the Gulf Hotel in 1971. Following Sheikh Isa’s passing, the club has since been under the honorary presidency of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the current King of Bahrain, since 1999.
The concept of transforming the flower and vegetable exhibition into a national and subsequently international event was initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Her vision was for the exhibition to become a prominent feature in Bahrain’s specialized exhibition calendar, significantly raising community awareness on environmental issues. Additionally, the exhibition aimed to be a strong impetus for establishing more public gardens in collaboration with the private sector, spreading across the Kingdom, including business premises, industrial sites, and residential areas for the enjoyment of all citizens and future generations. This initiative aligns with the objectives of Vision 2030.
In April 2003, on behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa inaugurated the 38th annual Flower and Garden Exhibition at the Sheraton Hotel, organized by the Bahrain Garden Club. She urged the organizers to leverage this agricultural event to promote Bahrain’s natural resources, enhance national awareness on the importance of preserving agricultural wealth, and encourage agricultural enthusiasts to innovate and excel in agriculture, landscaping, and floral arrangement.
Her Royal Highness also called for international participation to seek global expertise, expressing her strong desire for the Bahrain Garden Show to rank among the top international agricultural exhibitions due to its outstanding participation and excellent organizational efforts.
Since then, the Bahrain International Garden Show has attracted numerous exhibitors and visitors, offering them knowledge, awareness, and agricultural enjoyment. It has significantly enhanced the understanding of the importance of agriculture and fostered new commercial partnerships between local and international institutions. The exhibition has become a comprehensive platform in horticulture and agriculture, making it a distinguished annual event on the international exhibition map hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.