Maslenitsa Festival unites Oman, Russia in cultural celebration
Aligned with Oman Vision 2040, the festival highlighted sustainability, creativity, and local entrepreneurship. It provided a platform for Omani SMEs to showcase their innovative products to a global audience. A grand fair featured authentic handmade products and souvenirs from both Oman and Russia, further enhancing cultural collaboration.
Organised by Russian House Oman and supported by the Ministries of Heritage and Tourism, Culture, Sports and Youth, as well as the Russian Ministry of Culture, the Government of St Petersburg, and the Russian Embassy, this year's festival marked the 40th anniversary of Oman-Russia diplomatic relations. It served as a fusion of both cultures, offering interactive activities for all ages.
Dignitaries such as Jamal bin Hassan al Mousawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum; Nasser al Sheibani, CEO of Al Mouj Muscat; and Ibrahim bin Saif Bani Oraba, Deputy General Manager for Arts at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, joined Russian Ambassador Oleg Levin and other officials, including Andrey Malyshev, Russia's Deputy Minister of Culture, and Nizami Mamyshev, Deputy Chair of the Committee of External Relations of St Petersburg, in celebrating this milestone event. Nearly 100 artists from Russia performed at the festival.
Speaking to Observer, Igor Egorov, Head of the Russian Community in Oman, emphasised the festival's role in strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.
"Maslenitsa was a festival for all residents of Oman, and we hope it deepened the cultural bond between our countries. The overwhelming response made this year's event truly special," he noted.
The festival presented a stunning mix of tradition and innovation, featuring performances by renowned Russian ensembles, including St Petersburg's 'Moroshka' Song and Musical Theatre and Dagestan's State Academic Dance Ensemble 'Lezginka.'
Visitors immersed themselves in Russian traditions by learning folk dances, dressing in traditional attire, and participating in cooking workshops, where they mastered the art of Russian pancakes and sweets. Hands-on activities included playing folk musical instruments and crafting iconic Russian Matryoshka dolls, Filimonovo toys, and gingerbread decorations, offering an interactive cultural experience.
Encouraged by the success of this year's festival, organisers have announced Maslenitsa as an annual event in Oman, with the next edition set for February 2026, promising an even grander celebration of culture, unity, and tradition.
"We are thrilled to make Maslenitsa a yearly tradition in Oman," said Anna Popova, Head of the Russian House Oman. "This year's event showcased the growing cultural exchange between Russia and Oman, and we look forward to bringing even more joy and traditions in 2026."
In addition to Al Mouj Muscat, Gates of Arabia, Levare, and Oman Oasis were key supporters of the cultural event.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
14-08-2025
- 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.
Muscat Daily
13-08-2025
- Muscat Daily
Municipality prepares to make Muscat Nights 2026 bigger, better
Muscat – Muscat Municipality has announced the opening of bids for two tenders as part of preparations for the highly anticipated Muscat Nights 2026 festival. In a statement, the municipality said it is inviting specialised companies to submit proposals for marketing and promoting Muscat Nights 2026, as well as for designing and operating the Children's World events during the festival. The deadline for submitting bids is September 21, 2025. The tenders form part of the municipality's strategy to expand the scale and reach of Muscat Nights, which has grown into one of the capital's most prominent annual attractions, drawing thousands of residents and visitors each year. The festival typically features cultural performances, art exhibitions, food festivals, traditional markets and family-friendly entertainment across multiple venues in the city. By offering a dedicated tender for Children's World , Muscat Municipality aims to create an engaging space for young visitors, combining educational activities, interactive games and creative workshops. Officials hope this focus will attract more families and broaden the festival's appeal to diverse audiences. The municipality stressed that the marketing tender will be key to promoting Muscat Nights 2026 locally and globally, showcasing the capital as a vibrant tourism and cultural hub in line with Oman Vision 2040 objectives to boost the events and tourism sectors. Muscat Nights 2025 set a new benchmark for the event, attracting a record-breaking 1.7mn visitors. According to the municipality, the festival was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone in Oman's cultural and tourism calendar. The 2025 edition spanned seven locations – Amerat Park, Naseem Public Park, Oman Automobile Association, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Al Hail Beach, Wadi al Khoud and Qurum Natural Park – with venues carefully selected to ensure accessibility for both residents and tourists across Muscat.
Muscat Daily
11-08-2025
- Muscat Daily
Oman's Children Culture Centre expands digital projects
Muscat – The Children Culture Centre, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, is expanding its digital initiatives aimed at developing children's creativity and digital awareness while strengthening their connection to Omani cultural heritage. Salwa bint Saif al Rashidi, director of the centre, said, 'The goal of these projects goes beyond visual presentation or technical entertainment. Rather, it aims to build a sustainable cognitive relationship between children and their cultural identity by re-presenting Omani heritage as a living, interactive experience.' The centre's 2024 activities reached 35,603 beneficiaries, increasing to 39,383 from January to July this year. These initiatives combine culture, education and technology, using tools such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic gaming to engage children. 'These projects are deeply aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the cultural strategy, focusing on national identity, digital transformation and innovation-based education,' Salwa explained. The centre aims to empower children to contribute actively to the nation's future. Among its digital projects are interactive games like 'Amber' and 'The Hunter', designed to preserve Omani cultural heritage and develop children's creative thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging manner. The project 'The Palm Tree and its Associated Practices: An Interactive Story of Date Harvesting (Al-Kharf)' employs VR to introduce children to the cultural and agricultural significance of the palm tree, which is recognised on Unesco's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Another key initiative is the 'Interactive Camel Racing Experience', which uses VR technology to simulate camel racing, a traditional sport. The project raises awareness of Oman's sporting heritage while providing a safe environment for users to experience the race. The centre has also launched the 'Smart Children's Culture Center' project, incorporating AI, data analysis and remote control technologies. This environmentally friendly model supports Oman's digital transformation and highlights childhood as central to building a knowledge-based, technological future. More digital projects are planned for release throughout the year. Salwa emphasised the centre's role in presenting culture and education in ways that resonate with younger generations.
