Local poet shines a light on Bahrain as a cultural and historical treasure

Claudia Hardt, local poet and writer, brings true cultural awareness to the beauty of Bahrain through her latest poem featured in the recent poetry anthology Culture and Identity released in February.

The poem, titled My Deep Blue Sea, is a love letter from a pearl to her ‘home and harbour’, the sea. With vivid imagery and vibrant language, the little gem describes the charming way in which the waters act as a protective and loving parent-like figure, giving the little pearl hope and providing a place where its soul can find rest. The charming lyric was featured in the first volume of the anthology published by former Bahrain resident and British author Robin Barratt, featuring 97 poets from 53 countries.

German-born Bahrain resident, Claudia, started off studying journalism and working in the hospitality and tourism sector, allowing her to travel around the world. She worked at the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong, which brought her to the The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. She is a member as well as the Director of PR and Communications of the Bahrain Writers’ Circle (BWC) and has been writing all her life. From travel pieces to magazine columns to prose and now poetry, she has virtually written it all, with her work published in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Cyprus, U.A.E., Germany and Bahrain.

“I started writing poetry only a few years back here in Bahrain. One of my friends from BWC encouraged me to write a poem for a book called Poetic Bahrain. I never thought I would be able to compose a single line. However, like with everything in life, you have to push yourself.

“It was a great feeling seeing my first-ever poem, My Little Pearl, Lulu released in the book in 2015 and was an amazing journey exploring new ways of expression. I am grateful for my friend’s support who made me realise that ‘Yes, I can do it!’”

Since she began dabbling in poetry, the writer has had her work featured in several published collections, including Poetic Bahrain (2015), What Women Really Want – And Why Men Sometimes Get It So Wrong (2015), LONELY (2016), TRAVEL (2016), LOCKDOWN 2020 (2020), and now Culture and Identity (2022).

Having travelled extensively around the globe, she has been inspired by different cultures and traditions. Upon arriving in Bahrain, she was equally intrigued by the locals and their heritage and history, this being a fundamental theme in her poetry.

“I feel inspired by the rich culture, heritage and natural beauty of Bahrain.

“My poetry mainly focuses on the tradition of pearl diving and the pearl. I have a great passion for these gems and Bahrain’s history with its deep roots going back more than 5000 years.

“My poetry means identity to me. Although it is centred around our tradition and heritage of pearl diving and trading – which obviously is not something I grew up with – I identify myself with these roots as they are close to my heart.”

Her first poem My Little Pearl, Lulu, ‘Lu’lu’’ meaning ‘pearl’ revolves around Bahrain’s national gem, with its dominant image serving as a symbol of cultural identity.

Her other poem, dubbed Dana, also an Arabic word for ‘pearl’ revels in images of the sea, with the narrator calling out for “the light of the unclouded dawn”, “hope and growth” and the “soul of the deep blue sea” to “come back to the shores of the ‘two seas’”.

The writer also recently contributed to HSBC Middle East’s Voices of Our City poetry series, featuring poets from six cities in the region, including Manama, in celebration of UN World Cities Day. The event aimed to bring stories of the cities to the fore, bringing light to their transformation over the decades as well as their commitment to a better future.

Claudia Hardt’s poem, Manama – my yesterday – my today – my tomorrow, was featured in the series and speaks of the endless beauty of the city and the island, as well as its many achievements, with elegant and graceful language. The writer stresses the importance of poetry to her, arguing that: “Poetry connects people. It reflects the thoughts and imagination of others and can help us understand the world around us. Poetry can also be therapeutic and a way of expressing one’s feelings that, under normal circumstances, one couldn’t.”

Her passion for writing and other artistic mediums as well as her involvement in the BWC has inspired her to contribute to the art scene on the island, organising art exhibitions, including the prestigious Harbour Gate exhibition called Confluence – Where Words and Images Meet as well as the annual poetry festival Colours of Life. Claudia herself has contributed to all the editions of ‘Confluence’, including the 2021 edition which exhibited her poem My Deep Blue Sea paired with local artist Layla Hussain Mohamed’s picture Gumasha (pictured), as well as the 2019 edition, which featured Claudia’s special jewellery piece adorned with pearls paired with her poem Dana.

“Poetry plays an important role in our country and culture, and we need to support this craft. Of course, the most important advice for all writers and poets is write, write, write! Don’t give up and don’t be discouraged if you are struggling with your poetry,” says Claudia enthusiastically. The author plans to continue writing her wonderful poems and bringing more attention to the exquisite beauty of the island she now calls home. ✤

MY DEEP BLUE SEA BY CLAUDIA HARDT

(a love letter of a pearl to her homeland, the sea)

My deep blue sea
You are my passion and devotion,
My imagination and emotion,
You are my harbour,
My home, where my soul finds rest,
On the edge of the ocean’s breast.
My deep blue sea
You surround me with darkness and light,
You give me hope and a lustrous sight,
You are my harbour,
My home, where nothing can set us apart
In this wonderful deep sea world of art.
My deep blue sea
Your waves, all around, wrap me in peace,
Your gentle waves keep my heart at ease,
You are my harbour,
My home, where silence speaks a million words,
Unique and mystic, my wonderful world…