Bahrain is mourning the loss of poet, writer and cultural researcher Ali Abdullah Khalifa, who died on Monday at the age of 82 after a career that spanned more than six decades.
Widely regarded as one of the leading voices of modern Bahraini poetry, Khalifa became known for works that reflected the Kingdom’s maritime history, collective memory and rich folk traditions. His writings drew heavily on Bahrain’s cultural heritage and helped document aspects of Gulf life that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Born in Muharraq on March 4, 1944, Khalifa began writing poetry in the early 1960s. His first collection, “Anin Al Sawari,” was published in Beirut in 1969, followed by “Ida’a Li Dhakirat Al Watan” in 1973. Coming from a family of pearl divers, he found inspiration in oral storytelling, sea songs and everyday life, themes that remained central to his work throughout his career.
Beyond literature, Khalifa played an influential role in Bahrain’s cultural development. In 1974, he founded Dar Al Ghad for Publishing and Distribution, while two years later he launched the literary magazine “Kitabat,” serving as its editor-in-chief until 1985.
He also contributed to regional efforts to preserve Gulf heritage. In 1982, he helped establish the Folk Heritage Centre for the Arab Gulf States, where he oversaw research and documentation projects aimed at safeguarding traditional culture.
Throughout his career, Khalifa represented Bahrain at literary and cultural events across the region and internationally. His works were translated into several languages and became part of educational curricula in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
His contributions earned him numerous honours, including the Grand International Prize in Arts from the World Academy of East and West in Romania, the Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Medal and the First Class Medal of Merit awarded by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Khalifa’s death marks the passing of a prominent cultural figure whose poetry, publishing work and commitment to preserving folk heritage left a lasting imprint on Bahrain’s literary landscape.
