‘Our Bahrain’ : A National Writing and Art Collaboration
In 2015, Robin Barratt published My Beautiful Bahrain through the Bahrain Writers’ Circle. And this year we turn 15!
In celebration of the Bahrain Writers’ Circle’s 15th anniversary, and in heartfelt collaboration with CreateIT, a local art studio, we warmly invite the entire community of Bahrain to engage in a creative collaboration. This is an opportunity for us all to express our feelings about the current situation and share our unique experiences. This is not a challenge; rather, it is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and foster empathy through writing and art.
Project Theme
Prompt: Reflect on the unusual and extraordinary situation we are experiencing. Consider the following questions:
• What is one lesson you have learned or are learning?
• What have you taken for granted that you now realise is valuable?
Submission Guidelines
1. Eligibility:
◦ Open to all residents of Bahrain, including members of the Bahrain Writers Circle.
◦ Participants may choose to submit written pieces or artwork.
2. Format:
◦ Written submissions should be no more than 500 words, prose or poetry.
◦ Art submissions can include paintings or visual representations related to the theme. Please take a photograph of completed work and submit using the form.
◦ All pieces to be submitted online. Accepted formats for images jpg, jpeg, png, heic.
3. Language:
◦ Submissions must be in English OR Arabic
◦ Please provide your submission in a Doc, DocX, Pages or ODT document format for ease of sharing
4. Submission Deadline:
◦ All participants must submit their work by 31st March 2026.
5. Submission
◦ Each participant is allowed to submit up to two pieces of work, whether written or artistic.
◦ Submissions to be made on the form below. Please ensure your name and contact information are included with your submission.
6. Publication:
◦ Entries shortlisted by an expert panel, which includes founding members of BWC and external judges, will be featured on BWC channels.
◦ Subject to sponsorships, selected works maybe compiled into a book Our Bahrain, which will be available for sale.
◦ All profits from the book will be donated to local charities, supporting thecommunity during these challenging times.
Community Engagement and Goals
• This project aims to encourage empathy and safe sharing during chaotic times.
• It is an opportunity for participants to process their thoughts and feelings, contributing to collective healing.
If this resonates with you and you want to share, we warmly invite your heartfelt contributions as we navigate this unusual situation together. Through our collective expressions, we can foster understanding and connection in our community.
Don’t overthink it, just act – you will feel better and we can all learn together.
Important Notes
Rules and Regulations
- This initiative is apolitical; submissions should not contain political content and must focus solely on personal reflections and artistic expressions.
- By submitting your work, you agree to allow us to publish your piece in the compilation book and use it for promotional purposes. This will be translated into Arabic to ensure accessibility for all.
- Entrants will retain the copyright of their work but will grant a non-fee-paying exclusive right to publication to the Bahrain Writers’ Circle for a period of 12 months from the final date of entries.
- For inclusion in the print edition the decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entertained. Membership in the BWC is neither mandatory nor preferential.
Entry is FREE. - Entries must not already be published elsewhere.
- Any content found to be AI generated will not be published. Content must be all your own work.
Submission form
