Latest news with #FrenchWeeks
Observer
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land
As visitors step through the threshold of the Stal Gallery in Muscat, they are greeted by a vivid tapestry of images that beckon them to unravel the story of Oman through the lens of French-Syrian photographer Ammar Abd Rabbo. The air thrums with anticipation, a palpable connection forming between the observer and the world captured within each frame. Abd Rabbo's photographs transcend mere visuals; they are portals that transport onlookers into the heart of Omani life – where the stones speak of ancient histories, the faces reflect the dignity of everyday existence, and the landscapes hum with a silent poetry. It is an invitation to connect, to reflect, and to experience a cultural dialogue rich with emotion and insight. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land Organised in collaboration with the French Embassy in Oman, this exhibition is a key highlight of the "French Weeks" programme, a vibrant celebration of Franco-Omani relations through art, dialogue, and exchange. This marks the first time Ammar Abd Rabbo shares his personal archive of Oman with the public, bringing forth a collection titled 'Oman In My Eyes.' The exhibition features 37 exquisite images, drawn from nearly three decades of his journey which began with his initial visit to the Sultanate in 1996. The photographs encapsulate evocative portraits, traditional ceremonies, snapshots of everyday life, street photography, and rare moments from national sporting events of the past. They portray not only the physical evolution of Oman but also the profound connection and affection Abd Rabbo has developed for the country. 'Oman has never left me,' he expresses. "Since my first journey in 1996, almost 30 years ago, this country has etched into me its lines of stone and light, its silent and dignified faces, its still poetry within movement." For Abd Rabbo, photography transcends mere documentation; it is 'a kind of poetry and music' – a unique form of visual storytelling that seeks to elicit contemplation and emotional resonance. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land What distinguishes this exhibition is the humanistic and lyrical perspective he employs in portraying his subjects. Abd Rabbo's art avoids the snares of spectacle and formality, opting instead to honour the quiet dignity woven into the fabric of daily life, reflecting the timeless essence of a country in transition. His photographs resonate with both personal and universal themes, encouraging viewers to pause and ponder the concepts of identity, change, and memory. Born in Damascus in 1966, Ammar Abd Rabbo's early life was spent in Libya and Lebanon before he moved to France in 1978, following the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War. A student of political science at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, he ventured into photojournalism with renowned agencies such as Sygma, Sipa Press, and AFP. Over the past thirty years, his work has graced more than a hundred magazine and book covers and found its way into leading international publications including Time Magazine, Le Monde, Paris Match, Der Spiegel, and Asharq Al Awsat. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land His lens has traversed a myriad of subjects, capturing the stark realities of war in Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria, alongside significant global events like the Cannes Film Festival and Paris Fashion Week. Abd Rabbo's portraits of renowned figures, such as world leaders and cultural icons like Michael Jackson and Stephen Hawking, sit alongside tender depictions of ordinary people navigating extraordinary challenges. In conflict zones, he chooses to focus not on combat, but on the resilience of civilians – a perspective central to his poignant 2016 photo book Alep, À Elles Eux Paix. Abd Rabbo's work has been showcased globally in esteemed institutions and cultural events, including Banksy's Dismaland in the UK, the Venice Biennale, MAXXI Museum in Rome, and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. He has held solo exhibitions in cities like Doha, Dubai, Beirut, and Paris, and in 2018, he was honoured with the title of Chevalier of the French Order of Arts and Letters, recognising his meaningful contributions to the arts. French Weeks highlights photographer's tribute to a timeless land In 'Oman In My Eyes,' Ammar Abd Rabbo invites visitors to engage with his ongoing relationship with the Sultanate – a journey enriched by admiration, curiosity, and profound emotional resonance. Each image serves as a thoughtful meditation on place and presence, offering a rare and timeless view of Oman through the eyes of a seasoned storyteller. This exhibition promises to attract a diverse audience – from art enthusiasts and cultural historians to photography aficionados and members of the Franco-Omani community. It pays tribute to Oman's evolving landscape while celebrating the enduring connections fostered through art and cultural exchange. Visitors are heartily invited to explore this powerful visual narrative and immerse themselves in Oman as seen through the discerning eyes of a photographer whose work resonates with both gentleness and depth. The exhibition will be open to the public from 27 April to 12 May 2025 at Stal Gallery Ammar Abd Rabbo
Muscat Daily
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
20-day French Weeks to open in Muscat on April 14
Muscat – The French Embassy in Oman has announced the seventh edition of French Weeks, a cultural programme that will begin on April 14 in Muscat and run till May 4. The festival aims to celebrate and deepen Franco-Omani cultural ties through a series of public events. The festival will open on Monday at International French School of Muscat with a conference by journalist Ammar Abd Rabbo titled 'Identify and Counter Fake News'. At 6:30pm, the acclaimed documentary 'Bye Bye Tiberiade' will be screened at Vox Cinema, Mall of Oman. A live slam poetry performance – 'Voices Across Borders' – featuring Omani poet Aisha al Saifi and French artist Jérôme Pinel will be presented to the accompaniment of traditional oud music on April 15 at French-Omani Centre. Bait al Zubair will host 'Zayed & Hamon' – a musical collaboration blending Middle Eastern and Celtic sounds – on April 22. The concert will also be performed at Oman Across Ages Museum in Manah of April 24. The French Embassy will host a discussion on Palestinian women's poetry led by French-Algerian writer Mohamed Kacimi in April 23. French-Omani Centre will host an exhibition – 'Écrire en Français' – showcasing the works of 100 French-language authors from around the world on April 23. French Weeks will have a notable presence at Muscat International Book Fair scheduled from April 23 to May 3. The French pavilion will feature a range of literary events, including a conference on April 25 hosted by Mohamed Kacimi titled 'The Queen of Sheba in the Western Imagination', and a bilingual reading of poems from 'Palestine en Éclats', the first anthology of contemporary Palestinian women's poetry on April 26. Stal Gallery will present a photography exhibition – Oman Across Recent History – from April 27 to May 12. The festival will include a drawing workshop led by Marc Boutavant at International French School of Muscat on April 30 and a presentation by Stéphane Barroux on his Oman-inspired sketchbook – 'Oman, sur les traces de Sindbad le marin' – at French-Omani Centre also on April 30. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' will be screened on May 4 at Vox Cinema, Mall of Oman. All events are open to the public and entry free. Some require prior registration. The French Embassy has invited all residents of Oman to participate in what it describes as 'a celebration of creativity, culture and dialogue between France and Oman'.
