Latest news with #MuscatInternationalBookFair
Mid East Info
07-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Oman Arab Bank and Dar Al Atta'a Partner to Share the Gift of Reading at Muscat International Book Fair 2025
Muscat: As part of a leading initiative aimed at instilling the love of reading in the hearts of children and enhancing community interaction, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has teamed up with Dar Al Atta'a, a leading charity organization in the Sultanate of Oman, for a special book donation campaign at the Muscat International Book Fair 2025. The fair, which was held from April 24 to May 3 at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center (OCEC), served as a hub for book lovers, authors, and cultural enthusiasts alike. This year, OAB introduced an exciting opportunity for visitors to make a meaningful impact. A dedicated book donation box was set up at the fair near Gate 3, opposite the OAB booth. The bank invited all visitors to bring along their gently used books and donate them to the initiative. These books were then to be distributed to children across Oman to provide them with the tools to embark on their own journeys of discovery and imagination. Commenting on the initiative, Mr Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of Oman Arab Bank, said, 'We believe that reading opens doors to endless possibilities. This initiative is a testament to our commitment towards the communities we serve. By partnering with Dar Al Atta'a, we have not only helped instill the joy of reading into the hearts of young readers, but we also gave back to the community in a meaningful way. Through this initiative we hoped to inspire a generation of young readers; those same who will shape the future of our country.' The collaboration between OAB and Dar Al Atta'a reflects the bank's ongoing efforts to make a positive social impact. The book donation initiative is just one of the ways OAB supports educational and social causes, alongside its broader role in the digital transformation of Oman's banking landscape. OAB's participation as Official Banking Partner of the book fair was also aligned with its commitment to enhancing the visitor experience through cashless transactions using the OAB SoftPOS system at every book stall. Visitors were able to conveniently tap-to-pay to make quick and secure purchases. The Muscat International Book Fair served as a platform to promote cultural exchange and learning. Oman Arab Bank's involvement this year was a step towards fostering a society that values education, and knowledgeable empowerment.
Times of Oman
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Muscat International Book Fair attracts over 640,000 visitors
Muscat: The 29th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair recorded a 64.81% increase in visitors, attracting 649,589 attendees compared to 394,172 in the previous edition. This significant turnout reflects the fair's leading cultural stature and prominent position on the global events map. Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, Director of Muscat International Book Fair, told Oman News Agency (ONA): 'With each edition, we strive to offer programmes that align with the aspirations and interests of all groups across various fields of knowledge. This year's 29th edition was notably more diverse and vibrant on multiple levels—local, Arab, and international—featuring the North A'Sharqiyah Governorate as the guest of honor, Saudi cultural days, and participants from Asia, Europe, and South America.' He added that the fair's diversity was evident through dialogue sessions, lectures, workshops, and an expanded children's programme, all contributing to the overarching theme of the 29th edition: 'Cultural Diversity: Enriching Global Civilizations.' These efforts helped attract a broader audience. Al Rawahi emphasised that the organising committee aims to build on this momentum through careful planning and continuous improvement, delivering human knowledge in all its forms and for all age groups. This approach serves books, readers, and publishers while aligning with humanity's cultural and intellectual progress and benefiting Omani society. He noted that the surge in attendance resulted from enhanced organisational efforts and a diversified programme, reflecting lessons learned from past editions and audience interests. The fair's improved structure and varied events were well-received by visitors. The participation of prominent cultural figures and extensive media coverage further highlighted the fair's significance, drawing more visitors despite its unusual early summer timing. This year's fair introduced several changes and improvements, including a more diverse program and international participation in exhibitions and events. The guest of honour pavilion, dedicated to North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, showcased the region's history and scenic beauty through an innovative and visually striking design, blending tradition and modernity. Additionally, the arts corner featured exhibitions honouring late Omani artists and poets, celebrating their contributions to poetry and art, which further captivated visitors. Regarding the most engaging cultural activities, Al Rawahi pointed out that the fair's accompanying programme included 366 diverse events, with specialised and children's workshops receiving particularly strong participation. Muscat International Book Fair received extensive local and international media coverage, with 70 journalists representing 37 foreign media outlets, underscoring its role in promoting culture and knowledge. This year's fair hosted 674 publishing houses from 35 countries—640 participating directly and 34 through agents—offering a total of 681,041 titles. These included approximately 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign titles, and 27,464 Omani publications. Around 52,205 newly printed books (2024–2025) were also featured.
Times of Oman
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times of Oman
Muscat International Book Fair attracts over 64,000 visitors
Muscat: The 29th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair recorded a 64.81% increase in visitors, attracting 649,589 attendees compared to 394,172 in the previous edition. This significant turnout reflects the fair's leading cultural stature and prominent position on the global events map. Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, Director of Muscat International Book Fair, told Oman News Agency (ONA): 'With each edition, we strive to offer programmes that align with the aspirations and interests of all groups across various fields of knowledge. This year's 29th edition was notably more diverse and vibrant on multiple levels—local, Arab, and international—featuring the North A'Sharqiyah Governorate as the guest of honor, Saudi cultural days, and participants from Asia, Europe, and South America.' He added that the fair's diversity was evident through dialogue sessions, lectures, workshops, and an expanded children's programme, all contributing to the overarching theme of the 29th edition: 'Cultural Diversity: Enriching Global Civilizations.' These efforts helped attract a broader audience. Al Rawahi emphasised that the organising committee aims to build on this momentum through careful planning and continuous improvement, delivering human knowledge in all its forms and for all age groups. This approach serves books, readers, and publishers while aligning with humanity's cultural and intellectual progress and benefiting Omani society. He noted that the surge in attendance resulted from enhanced organisational efforts and a diversified programme, reflecting lessons learned from past editions and audience interests. The fair's improved structure and varied events were well-received by visitors. The participation of prominent cultural figures and extensive media coverage further highlighted the fair's significance, drawing more visitors despite its unusual early summer timing. This year's fair introduced several changes and improvements, including a more diverse program and international participation in exhibitions and events. The guest of honour pavilion, dedicated to North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, showcased the region's history and scenic beauty through an innovative and visually striking design, blending tradition and modernity. Additionally, the arts corner featured exhibitions honouring late Omani artists and poets, celebrating their contributions to poetry and art, which further captivated visitors. Regarding the most engaging cultural activities, Al Rawahi pointed out that the fair's accompanying programme included 366 diverse events, with specialised and children's workshops receiving particularly strong participation. Muscat International Book Fair received extensive local and international media coverage, with 70 journalists representing 37 foreign media outlets, underscoring its role in promoting culture and knowledge. This year's fair hosted 674 publishing houses from 35 countries—640 participating directly and 34 through agents—offering a total of 681,041 titles. These included approximately 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign titles, and 27,464 Omani publications. Around 52,205 newly printed books (2024–2025) were also featured.
Muscat Daily
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
So many books, so little time
Muscat – Reading maketh a full man, but reading habits are fast fading with time and distractions from technology. Though Muscat International Book Fair is rekindling an interest in reading, how can we further encourage young minds to embrace books over screens? Here is what Muscat Daily readers said – Aisha al Balushi, Homemaker Muscat International Book Fair has reignited an interest in books, but to encourage young minds further, we must create vibrant reading corners in schools, host storytelling sessions and introduce reading challenges that reward participation. Making books fun and accessible can help divert attention away from screens. Khalfan al Amri, Private sector employee The book fair reminds us that knowledge comes best through reading. To engage young minds, schools could invite authors, organise interactive reading workshops and promote creative writing competitions. Mariam al Farsi, Bank employee Muscat International Book Fair brings stories alive, but to sustain it, we should integrate reading into everyday life. Family reading time, a culture of gifting books and community reading events can make books more appealing than screens. It's about creating emotional connections with stories from a young age. Saif al Amri, Businessman Children need to see reading as a source of excitement, not obligation. The book fair helps, but parents and teachers must continue the effort. Regular library visits, book clubs and even author meet-ups can inspire them to explore new worlds through books instead of spending hours on devices and TV games. Priya Verma, Painter and homemaker The book fair is a celebration of imagination. To further its impact, we can encourage children with fun book review activities and family reading challenges. We can start with comics like Tintin and Asterix. When children find books they connect with, they'll prefer the joy of reading over the temporary thrill of a screen. Arjun Kapoor, Private sector employee Muscat International Book Fair rekindles curiosity. It is difficult to disregard and abandon devices totally in the present era. To keep alive the habit of reading, combining technology with books – like interactive e-books and reading apps – could help bridge the gap. Alnisa Vikinga, Private sector employee Parents need to sit down with their children and read for them or let children read for their parents from a book. When you engage kids in reading, kids do more than just absorb information; you offer a rich tapestry of ideas, narratives and perspectives to sift through. Every word or sentence acts as a key, unlocking doors to new thoughts, solutions and inspirations. The more they read, the more they will know.
Observer
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Muscat Book Fair 2025 receives record 650,000 visitors
Muscat: The Muscat International Book Fair 2025, which concluded on Saturday, received 649,589 visitors from across the Sultanate of Oman and abroad. The concluding ceremony of the 29th edition saw the honoring of a number of prominent cultural figures and institutions for their contributions to enriching the cultural scene in the Sultanate of Oman. This ceremony took place under the patronage of Mohammed bin Saeed al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information, at the Al Farahidi Hall at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, which saw the participation of 674 publishing houses from 35 countries, including 640 direct participants and 34 through agencies. The exhibition showcased 681,041 Omani, Arab, and foreign titles, including 52,000 recent publications. PHOTO-2025-04-28-18-17-30 The 28th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair, which received 394,172 visitors, saw the participation of 34 countries and 847 publishing houses, offering over 20,000 titles, including a remarkable collection of more than 19,000 Omani books. The exhibition's cultural program included 211 cultural events under the theme "Cultural Diversity: The Enrichment of Civilizations." In a speech, Ahmed al Rawahi, Director of the Muscat International Book Fair, said: "The contributions of the Muscat International Book Fair, since its inception, have demonstrated its impact in promoting cultural activity, promoting the values of reading, and making books available and disseminated throughout this beloved country." This year's fair had North Al Sharqiyah Governorate as the guest of honor as part of the efforts to highlight the cultural diversity and civilizational depth of the Sultanate of Oman. The governorate implemented a rich program of diverse activities that reflected the governorate's rich cultural, intellectual, and artistic heritage, which played a prominent role in enriching the exhibition's activities. To strengthen cultural exchange efforts between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the exhibition hosted Saudi Cultural Days, which represented an important addition to the exhibition's activities through their unique cultural program. Al-Rawahy congratulated the cultural figures and institutions for their constructive contributions and recognized role in advancing the cultural movement in the country. These honorees included author Abdullah Habib, Al-Dhamri Publishing and Distribution House and Library, and Dar Al-Kitab Al-Ahlia Public Library. The Al Wusta Governorate will be the guest of honor at the 30th edition of the Muscat International Book Fair. The closing ceremony of the Muscat International Book Fair included a visual presentation of the daily coverage of the fair, a poetry segment, a visual presentation of the activities of North Al Sharqiyah Governorate's participation as the exhibition's guest of honor, and a poem recited by poet Hamoud Al-Aisri entitled "A Chant in the Name of North Al Sharqiyah Governorate." During the ceremony, the winners of the first season of the National Reading Championship were announced. Targeting school students in the Sultanate of Oman, the championship was held in three competitive stages over a full academic year. A total of 500 books were read, making it a national cultural project implemented by the Ministry of Education and supervised by the exhibition's Community Initiatives Committee.
