Latest news with #OmaniCulture
Al Bawaba
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Ooredoo Powers Festivities as Proud Partner for Khareef 2025
As Salalah prepares to welcome thousands for this year's Khareef season, Ooredoo is proud to serve as its cultural partner. From theatre performances to park activities, Ooredoo's 2025 sponsorship and events lineup celebrates the heart of Omani culture, connection, and 7 and 8 August, Ooredoo will proudly present King of the Stage at Al Murooj Theatre, a performance enjoyed across the GCC. Starring celebrated actor Khalid Al Mudhafar alongside a talented cast, this production promises two nights of laughter, storytelling, and entertainment. Ooredoo is also hosting stage activities across two of Khareef's most popular locations. Families can join the fun at Up-Town Ateen on 1,8, 15 and 22 August. Bring friends and family, and create some awesome memories, as communities come together to share the moment this part of its CSR goals, Ooredoo is also exploring partnerships with Salalah Trend & Khotah Marketing to help empower local entrepreneurs during Khareef and beyond. Details to be announced soon. Proudly serving as a main sponsor of Khareef Season 2025, Ooredoo is supporting events that shine a light on Oman's culture and invite creativity and tourism. It reflects Ooredoo's long-standing belief in connecting people not just digitally, but culturally and socially. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Al Bawaba
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
AUB Press Hosts Novelist Dr. Jokha Alharithi at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair
As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, AUB Press hosted an enriching panel discussion with Dr. Jokha Alharithi, renowned Omani novelist, moderated by student Rana Roukoz. The event was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair and organized in collaboration with the Center for Arts and Humanities at the American University of Beirut (AUB).The conversation highlighted Jokha Alharithi's literary and academic experience, as she was the first Arab writer to win the Man Booker International Prize for her novel Celestial Bodies. It also touched on her other works, such as The Silk of the Gazelle and The Bitter Orange. Roukoz's questions focused on the relationship between Alharithi's academic background and the formation of her narrative worlds, as well as the influence of Omani culture on her fictional discussion was distinguished by its exploration of the narrative peculiarities of Alharithi's worlds, in terms of non-linear construction, multiple voices, and the use of individual and collective memory. The philosophical and existential approach also emerged as a key element in her works, alongside a contemplative poetic language that expresses the depth of her the relationship between her academic background and her fictional world, Alharithi spoke at length about the family influence in shaping her literary taste: "I don't know if this has anything to do with my academic background or my upbringing, because I grew up in a family that was passionate about literature. My grandfather, Ahmed bin Abdullah Alharithi, was one of the last classical poets in Oman, and it took me ten years to compile and edit his collection of poems. But when I visited him as a child, I thought he didn't speak like us, but only in poetry, in fusha."From this deep affiliation with poetry, she set out to build her novelistic worlds, without separating the two literary genres. She concluded by saying that she initially hesitated to incorporate poetry into her novel, but then she read As If She Were Sleeping by Elias Khoury and found that he never hesitated to incorporate poetry extensively. This encouraged her, and she said, "It's not wrong to incorporate poetry into the novel." The dialogue included bilateral readings between Alharithi and Roukoz of selected excerpts from the author's works, blending poetry and prose. At the end of the meeting, the audience posed a series of questions to the guest, addressing issues of identity, narrative, and place in the modern Arabic novel.
Times of Oman
07-07-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
National Museum's summer programme to boost creativity and cultural identity
Muscat: The National Museum launched the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme, organised by the museum's Learning Centre, with support from bp Oman, to enhance participating students' awareness of national identity and consolidate the values of Omani cultural heritage. The summer programme targets three age groups: children (6 to 11 years old), school students (12 to 16 years old), and college and university students. During the current month of July, a number of artistic and interactive sessions inspired by the National Museum's collections will be implemented to contribute to developing the participants' skills and stimulating their creative abilities. Amina bint Abdullah Al Abri, Head of the Learning Centre at the National Museum, explained that the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme is one of the annual initiatives the Learning Centre is keen to implement, aiming to instill the values of national identity and strengthen young people's connection to their cultural heritage through a creative and experimental approach that embodies the intersection of art and heritage. She pointed out that the National Museum is participating in the "Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity" programme in North Al Batinah Governorate, in cooperation with the Governor's Office, from July 6 to 10, 2025, through a group of artistic sessions organised by the Learning Centre within the framework of the Community Awareness Programme and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme, and includes various fields, such as colouring, traditional architecture, and the history of Omani maritime navigation. She stated that the programme aims to instill national identity in the new generation through artistic educational methods that combine enjoyment and knowledge, as part of the National Museum's efforts to enhance its presence outside its premises and convey its cultural message, contributing to consolidating the values of national identity and heritage. The summer programme in North Al Batinah is held in a number of governorate's wilayats, namely: Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Suwaiq, to include (240) beneficiaries, while the Learning Centre implements the activities of the first programme at the headquarters of the National Museum for the age group (6-11 years) during the period from July 6-10, while the second and third programmes are implemented in the Learning Centre corner in Al Mouj Muscat, for the category of school students (12-16 years) and college and university students, respectively from (July 13-17) and from (July 20-24), to include (260) beneficiaries. It is worth noting that the Learning Centre at the National Museum is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. It is equipped according to the highest international standards and offers various educational programmes aimed at raising public awareness about Omani heritage, including: the School Visits Programme, the Colleges and Universities Programme, the Family Programme, the Community Awareness Programme, the Continuing Education Programme, the People with Disabilities Programme, and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme. These programmes generate increased interest among all visitor categories in Oman's rich history.
Times of Oman
23-06-2025
- Times of Oman
Bait Al Sharaf Museum: A Glimpse into Oman's Authentic Past
Muscat: Al Aqar Village in Al Jabal Al Akhdar is home to the Bait Al Sharaf Museum, a remarkable individual initiative that has blossomed into a thriving cultural and tourism project. This museum offers visitors, especially foreign tourists, an authentic journey into traditional Omani life, seamlessly blending history with the experience of a traditional home, all while preserving its original character. A Childhood Home Reimagined The museum is the brainchild of Yousef bin Nasser Al Omari, who lovingly restored his childhood home. He transformed it into a vibrant heritage landmark, ensuring its ancient features remained untouched. This careful preservation allows the museum to stand as a living testament to the traditional lifestyle in the villages of Al Jabal Al Akhdar. Rooms Full of Stories and Experiences The Bait Al Sharaf Museum features nine distinct rooms, each with its own story and purpose. 1) The Winter Room stands out as a focal point. Here, families would gather around a fire during the cold mountain months. It served as a "miniature family parliament" where daily life was discussed, and tea and coffee were brewed over charcoal. 2) The Rosewater Distillation Room showcases a craft dating back over three centuries. Visitors can witness the live distillation process during the rose season (March-April) and even participate in the stages, from picking roses to extracting aromatic oils. 3) The Door Room highlights the exceptional craftsmanship of ancestors, who skillfully worked with limited resources like Atam and Ghaf wood to create resilient and beautiful architectural masterpieces. Sustainable Heritage and Community Support Al Omari's vision extends beyond mere preservation; it encompasses sustainability and community involvement. The museum includes a modern café overlooking the stunning agricultural terraces of the mountain. Additionally, a heritage shop sells aromatic products like rose water, oils, and various handicrafts, many produced by local village women. This makes Bait Al Sharaf Museum a valuable marketing platform for productive families in the area. Attracting Visitors and Inspiring Future Projects The museum is increasingly popular, particularly with European and Asian tourists seeking an authentic heritage experience. It provides guided tours and a tangible taste of daily mountain life, transforming a visit into a deeply human interaction with memories. Al Omari aims to expand partnerships with young people who are keen on reviving old houses and turning them into sustainable projects. He believes this will enrich cultural tourism not only in the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar but across the Sultanate of Oman. A Call to Action for Omani Youth Yousef bin Nasser Al Omari passionately encourages Omani youth to reconsider the potential of old, uninhabited houses and villages. He states, "These houses are not a burden, but rather opportunities that can be transformed into tourist attractions that restore the village's vitality and provide employment opportunities, even for a small number of family members, instead of them remaining closed off and absent. This will be a living model for investing in old houses to stimulate sustainable tourism."
Times of Oman
26-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
National Programme for Craft Industries launched
Muscat: The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) on Monday announced the launch of 'Oman Crafts', the National Programme for Craft Industries. 'Oman Crafts' emerges as a strategic system to upgrade the craft industries' sector in the Sultanate of Oman, activate the sector's role in supporting the national economy, empower Omani crafts people and consolidate the presence of the Omani cultural identity in the global arena. The programme stems from ongoing efforts to implement the goals of Oman Vision 2040, notably by supporting culture-related industries, enhancing the sustainability of handicrafts-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and establish an integrated system for training, marketing and financing of SMEs. The programme aims to enable the Omani crafts sector to become a global role model on enhancing economic sustainability and attracting national talent. This objective is envisaged to be achieved through the empowerment of Omani craftspeople, supporting innovation in their respective vocations, developing their skills and enhancing integration among entrepreneurship. The National Programme for Craft Industries seeks to achieve a number of strategic objectives, which include: - Empowering craftsmen and building national capacities in the field of productivity and innovation - Improving product quality and developing craft value chains - Enhancing the competitiveness and local and international marketing of craft products - Utilizing modern technologies and innovation in developing the crafts sector - Establishing an integrated infrastructure that includes incubators and specialized business centres - Developing a legislative and institutional environment that supports craft industries - Enhancing the sustainability of the craft industries sector and linking it to cultural and tourism identity. The programme lays emphasis on innovation and technological development, local content governance, product marketing and national identity protection, investment opportunities and economic sustainability.
