Latest news with #SportsandYouth
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman presents commemorative plaque to WTO in Geneva
Muscat – Oman has gifted a commemorative plaque to World Trade Organization (WTO) to mark the visit of H H Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said to its headquarters in Geneva on June 21, 2023. Created by Omani artist Salem bin Khamis al Salami, the plaque is a symbolic representation of Oman's civilisational heritage, natural diversity and its future development vision. It was created under the supervision of Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in collaboration with Omani Society for Arts, which is affiliated to Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. Presentation of the plaque reflects Oman's approach to cultural diplomacy and its growing engagement with international institutions. H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said, 'This initiative reflects Oman's commitment to promoting cultural exchange and building international partnerships through the arts.' He also praised H H Sayyid Bilarab's role in promoting art as a means of global communication. H E Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Culture in Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, described the gift as a 'cultural and civilisational statement' aligned with Oman Vision 2040. H E Idris bin Abdulrahman al Khanjari, Oman's Permanent Representative to United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, emphasised the diplomatic significance of the gesture. The plaque is now displayed in WTO's Salle des Pas Perdus, a space reserved for artwork that celebrate dialogue and multilateral cooperation. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of WTO, said, 'A nice ceremony to unveil the beautiful painting gifted by Oman to WTO. The occasion also marked Oman's 25th year of accession to WTO. We appreciate Oman for this wonderful gift. Congratulations and many thanks to H H Sayyid Bilarab who took special interest in this project, to the artist, to the ambassador and the team for the hard work.'
Observer
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
OFS showcases Oman's treasures at Expo 2025 Osaka
The Omani Film Society, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, hosted a film screening as part of the activities celebrating Cultural Diversity Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The OFS showcased the Oman's treasures on Omani Cultural Diversity Day. Expo 2025 is a World Expo taking place in Osaka from April 13 to October 13, 2025, organised and sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE). Oman's film screening was conducted in three languages: Arabic, English and Japanese, enhancing communication with international audiences. Oman's participation at Expo 2025 aimed to strengthen its position as a global filming destination. Anwar bin Khamis al Ruzaiqi, Vice-Chairman of the Omani Film Society, introduced the "Make Your Film in Oman" project, promoting Oman's picturesque locations as ideal settings for film-making. The screening included a promotional film showcasing international locations used in Hollywood and Bollywood films, highlighting their counterparts in Oman with its unique geographical diversity, including golden sand dunes, green valleys, towering mountains and pristine coastlines. The screening also discussed Oman's rich historical and archaeological sites, from castles and forts to ancient cities and Unesco world heritage sites, emphasising their cultural value, which enriches film productions. "We are proud to present Oman's cultural and cinematic treasures on a global stage, showcasing Oman's exceptional locations and rich heritage. Our participation at Expo Osaka reflects the Omani Film Society's commitment to strengthening Oman's position as an international film-making and cultural exchange destination," said Mohammed bin Abdullah al Ajmi, President of the Omani Film Society. "We believe that cinema is a powerful bridge connecting cultures and sharing the story of our people and land with the world. Through initiatives like this, we promote film tourism and creative industries in Oman while empowering young film-makers to share their unique stories and talents globally. We thank all partners and collaborators for contributing to the success of this participation and look forward to further cooperation to advance the Omani film sector," he added. During the event, five short documentaries directed by young Omani film-makers were screened, reflecting the diversity of environments, cultures and human stories in Oman. They include 'Al Mawarid' by Mohammed al Ajmi, exploring the Omani Tabseel season as a vibrant cultural and social event, 'You Will Never Dive Alone' by Fahad al Maimani, taking viewers on a visual journey into the depths of the Daymaniyat Islands, highlighting the richness of Omani marine life and the importance of conservation, 'Holding Your Breath,' directed by Issa al Subhi, telling the moving story of Omani diver Omar al Ghailani, showcasing free diving, perseverance and defiance, 'Trace,' directed by Buthaina al Kindi, an emotional journey through memory and nostalgia, reliving features of an ancient Omani village, focusing on belonging and identity and 'Long Distances,' directed by Hamad al Qasabi and Ali al Bimani, narrating the story of an Omani runner finding liberation and connection with his homeland. The participation also featured the Screen Oman platform, targeting production companies, directors and individuals interested in film-making, advertising and marketing. It promotes the diverse locations and terrain of Oman, open studios for filming, and film tourism.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Muscat Daily
Registration opens for Gulf Film Festival in Muscat
Muscat – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has announced the opening of registration for the Gulf Film Festival, set to take place in Muscat from November 16 to 19. Organised in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the festival is held annually in line with regulations issued by the General Secretariat and as part of the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020–2030. The ministry has called on filmmakers in Oman to submit their works and take part in the festival's competitions, which cover a range of categories including feature films, documentaries and short films. Participants will compete for a number of cash prizes, including Best Feature Film, Best Short Film and Best Documentary Film. Additional awards will be given for Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack, and Best Actor and Actress. The event offers a valuable platform for Omani filmmakers to highlight their talent and creativity, and underscores Oman's growing role in the region's cinematic landscape.
Muscat Daily
4 days ago
- General
- Muscat Daily
Oman to debut at London Design Biennale 2025
Muscat – Oman will participate for the first time in the prestigious London Design Biennale in 2025 with a national pavilion titled 'Memory Grid', a conceptual installation designed by multidisciplinary artist Haitham al Busafi. With over 30 pavilions representing nations, cities or institutions, the three-week exhibition starting June 5 will feature curated installations accompanied by a programme of events, thought-leadership talks, performances and workshops. Expressing his excitement in a post on LinkedIn, Busafi wrote, 'A moment of immense pride! I'm deeply honoured and privileged to share that I will be designing Oman's debut pavilion at the London Design Biennale 2025. This opportunity to represent my country on such a global platform is truly special.' Curated by Zawraq Collective and commissioned by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the pavilion represents the ideas of memory, value and preservation in a rapidly evolving world. It invites visitors to consider how perception changes with perspective, offering an experience where meaning shifts based on how closely – or distantly – one observes. Haitham al Busafi 'This pavilion is multilayered,' Busafi explained. 'We move through life constantly shifting our lens – sometimes catching the smallest details, sometimes stepping back to see the whole. Without realising it, we adjust our resolution of perception and thought, finding different meanings at different scales.' 'Memory Grid' draws inspiration from Oman's pottery tradition, reimagining ancient vessels as metaphors for how humanity protects what it values most. Historically, these vessels were lifelines – shaped from the earth, fired with care and used to carry water; these connected communities to land and to each other. Over time, they evolved from tools of survival into symbols of cultural legacy. The installation juxtaposes this traditional symbolism with modern needs, suggesting that today's essential resource – data – now demands similar protection. Through this immersive experience, visitors are invited to consider what these vessels can teach us about the preservation of knowledge, values and identity across generations. As visitors move through the space, the installation challenges them to reflect on shifting notions of value – what we keep, share or pass on. In doing so, it bridges the past and present, exploring how physical objects can hold conceptual weight and carry human stories forward.
Observer
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Gulf Film Festival submissions open
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth has announced the opening of submissions for the upcoming Gulf Film Festival, scheduled to take place in Muscat from November 16 to 19. The event will be organised in collaboration with the Secretariat-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and aligns with the festival's regulatory framework established by the GCC Secretariat-General, as part of the implementation of the GCC Cultural Strategy 2020-2030. The ministry has extended an invitation to all Omani film-makers to submit their works and compete across the festival's various categories, including feature films, short films and documentaries. Participants will vie for financial awards, with prizes awarded for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, and Best Documentary, in addition to other awards such as Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Actor and Actress. This event presents a promising opportunity for Omani talent to showcase their creativity on a Gulf-wide platform, reinforcing Oman's presence in the regional cinematic landscape. — ONA
