Muscat International Book Fair opens with wide participation
The 29th edition of Muscat International Book Fair kicked off on Thursday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre under the auspices of HH Sayyid Dr Fahd bin Al Julanda al Said, Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University.
The opening ceremony was attended by Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information and Chairman of the Main Committee of Muscat International Book Fair.
The chief guest toured the exhibition pavilions, which feature a wide array of cultural, intellectual and scientific titles.
The total number of listed publications reached 681,041, including 467,413 Arabic books and 213,610 foreign titles. The Omani collection comprises 27,464 books, while newly-printed publications (2024-2025) account for 52,205 titles. Notably, 52,205 of the displayed books were published between 2024 and 2025.
A dedicated space has been created for children and family activities, including a theatre for performances and workshops, a corner for the Arabic language and a children's cultural corner.
A total of 155 events are planned, featuring interactive and entertainment shows, youth initiatives and puppet performances.
Additionally, cultural cafés have been set up in several participating pavilions.
Al Sharqiyah North Governorate is this year's 'Guest of Honour', with a special pavilion showcasing the governorate's local culture, history, notable figures, scientific and humanitarian contributions, tourist attractions and modern lifestyle across its various wilayats.
Ahmed al Rawahi, Director of the Muscat International Book Fair, expressed pride in the visit of Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi, who signed his new publication 'The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Events in Annals from 1497 to 1757' at the Sharjah Book Authority's pavilion.
Al Rawahi noted that this year's edition celebrates a number of intellectuals and creatives from both Oman and abroad, welcoming all guests attending the cultural programme and exploring Omani culture, people and national identity. He added that the cultural programme of Al Sharqiyah North will highlight the governorate's cultural, historical and developmental heritage. The fair also celebrates Saudi Cultural Days, featuring a series of events led by prominent Saudi intellectuals with participation from Omani writers.
The current edition is held under the theme: 'Cultural Diversity Enriches Civilisations', emphasising openness and cultural exchange through its events and hosted figures.
Ibrahim Saad Bishan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Sultanate of Oman, said that the Kingdom is participating in this year's exhibition with 38 publishing houses as part of the Saudi Cultural Days. Several cultural events will also be held to celebrate Omani-Saudi relations, reflecting initiatives by the Omani-Saudi Coordination Council to strengthen cultural cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood bin Yahya al Thuhli, Governor of Al Sharqiyah North, emphasised that the governorate's participation as guest of honour marks a significant cultural milestone, showcasing its literary, tourism, economic and heritage treasures. The pavilion features an AI-powered platform to promote the governorate and a children's corner dedicated to the Omani identity. The governorate is organising 15 diverse events, including seminars and lectures on literature, sports, education and tourism.
The pavilion also aims to promote the governorate's unique tourist sites from golden sands and resorts to natural water springs and historic landmarks across its wilayats — inviting visitors to discover these treasures firsthand.
The book fair runs till May 3, and is open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, allowing visitors of all ages to explore exhibits and events at convenient times. The organising committee has allocated special morning hours for school students - from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on weekdays - to provide a safe and educational environment that nurtures young people's love for reading and learning from an early age.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
AI can help boost film-making among Omani youth
Seventy-five young Omanis recently gained firsthand experience using Artificial Intelligence in film-making, sparking their creativity and desire to produce advanced films on par with international movies. An exclusive workshop on AI in cinema-making was held as part of the Oman Film Society's (OFS) efforts to empower Omani youth and cultivate a new generation of creative film-makers in collaboration with the Youth Centre. Titled 'Experience the Skill of Film-making with Artificial Intelligence', the specialised workshop was led by trainer Abdulaziz al Abri and took place across three governorates: Muscat, Al Sharqiyah North and Al Batinah North over nine days, running from July 20 to August 14. Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, stated in an interview with the Observer that the ambitious project aimed to reach passionate film-makers. "Through this workshop, we aim to connect with as many young people interested in film-making as possible and shape a generation of Omani film-makers equipped with modern film-making techniques," he said. The workshop, which began in Muscat and travelled through Al Sharqiyah North before concluding in Suhar, Al Batinah North, attracted over 75 male and female students from across Oman. The training programme covered various topics, including scriptwriting principles and using AI tools to produce footage. The participants completed five practical projects over three intensive days to showcase their newly acquired skills. Trainer Abdulaziz al Abri emphasised the promising level of creativity displayed by Omani youth during the workshop. He noted the participants' enthusiasm for interacting with AI tools and technologies and the impressive results achieved in a short time frame. "This experience, conducted in three governorates, served as a platform for unleashing the talents and ambitions of young individuals, and the outcomes achieved in just nine days are a source of pride and optimism," he said. Al Abri stressed the importance of continuing such training initiatives, highlighting that integrating AI into cinematic work is no longer a luxury but a necessity to keep pace with the global digital transformation in the industry.
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Oman participates in Art Week in China
BEIJING: Represented by the Ministry of Education, the Sultanate of Oman is taking part in the 2025 International Art Week held in the Chinese city of Dunhuang from August 9 to 14 under the theme "Ode to Peace". The event brings together artists, youth talents, teachers and intellectuals from different countries of the world. The participants focus on promoting cultural dialogue and innovative arts. They also seek to integrate cultural heritage into educational curricula to foster understanding among nations of the global community. During the event, students from Salalah Basic Education School for Boys, an educational establishment affiliated to the Unesco in Dhofar Governorate, presented a performance of the Omani folk art of "Al Bar'aa", which has been included on Unesco's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010 as a unique element of the Sultanate of Oman. "Al Bar'aa" art simulates the spirit of chivalry, courage, generosity and hospitality for which the people of Dhofar Governorate are famous. The Sultanate of Oman's participation in the event provides an opportunity to showcase the country's cultural depth on the international arena, enhance cooperation in the fields of education and culture; and support Oman's presence in international cultural forums. — ONA
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Khareef Dhofar unveils heritage experiences
SALALAH: The Dhofar Municipality is organising a variety of events for the Khareef Dhofar Season 2025, offering a comprehensive experience that blends culture, entertainment and innovation. The season features international shows, some of which are being presented for the first time in Oman and globally. The various event locations are attracting a large number of visitors due to their diverse and engaging content. Ammar bin Obaid Gawas, Director of Events and Awareness at Dhofar Municipality, stated that the Attin Square is a centrepiece of this season's events. It hosts one of the world's largest inflatable play cities, a stage with the latest sound and lighting technology, eco-friendly fireworks, drone shows and folklore performances from 18 countries. It also features diverse markets for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local products from Omani entrepreneurs. He added that the Modern Waterfront provides a complete family entertainment destination, including a walkway, a children's area, a princesses' palace, and a variety of restaurants and food trucks. It also hosts the 'Awdah' event, which simulates traditional Omani life with shows of traditional arts, heritage markets and handicrafts that preserve the national heritage. Gawas explained that Awqad Park, branded as 'Children's Time', is dedicated to providing innovative educational and recreational activities for children in a safe environment. Meanwhile, Salalah Park, or the 'Healthy Park', hosts sports paths and challenges suitable for all ages, encouraging an active and balanced lifestyle. Ammar bin Obaid Gawas, Director of Events and Awareness, Dhofar Municipality Gawas also noted that the season includes multiple accompanying events such as 'Awsara', 'Avicenna' and 'Al Gharf', as well as the Frankincense Market and Al Haffa Beach Market. Activities are also being held in the wilayats of Taqah, Mirbat and Sadah. The season is also hosting major international sporting events, including the Salalah International Cycling Tour, the Dhofar International Sand Drag Race Championship, and a traditional weapons shooting competition. He affirmed that Dhofar Municipality has been keen on highlighting Omani identity at all event locations, with more than a thousand national projects for productive families and entrepreneurs. He stressed that the operation and organisation of the events have been fully assigned to Omani companies, a step that reflects support for national projects and youth ideas and makes the season a true platform for sustainable development. - ONA
