Oman celebrates Muscat Festival 2008

Muscat Festival showcases Omani hospitality

Muscat Festival 2008, Muscat's biggest festival started on Tuesday under the patronage of Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh al-Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council, at the Qurm Gardens.

A riveting operetta highlighting Oman's standing as a land of peace and friendly and forward-looking people at the Qurum Natural Park's stunningly designed Lakeside Theatre on Tuesday night marked the opening of the 26-day 'Muscat Festival 2008'.

The six-part music and dance extravaganza, presented against a backdrop of mesmerizing laser lights and musical fountains and dazzling fireworks was enjoyed to the hilt by the packed audience of VIPs, including guest of honor Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, royal family members, ministers and prominent members of the public.

The annually awaited fiesta turned Muscat to a global gathering where visitors flooded from various parts of the world. The organizers had many entertaining and educating activities in store for their visitors about the place, its people and their deeply rooted history. In fact this annually awaited event which dates back to 1998 is a panoramic show case that presents Muscat or rather Oman at large as a favorable tourist destination.

It was performed by a 100-member troupe from the Enana Dance Company of Damascus, one of the Middle East's top theatre groups, with support from Omani, Chinese and Russian artistes, and revolved around the Sultanate's appeal as a haven for migratory birds from all over the world.

The show opened with a scintillating scene of artistes dressed in birdlike costumes soaring above the theatre.

Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, organizers of the annual festival, explained the symbolism in a speech welcoming the guests. Like the birds, he said, visitors were drawn to Oman because of the country's natural beauty, tranquility and peace, adding that Omanis were known for cherished human values of peace and progress.

"We [Muscat Municipality] are putting in optimal efforts, with the support of the government and the private sectors, in showcasing the ever-lasting beauty of each and every part of the country through this festival," Abbas said in his speech during the opening ceremony theme for which was theme - ‘Oman: the Promise and Warm Welcome’.

"Muscat Municipality, in its task of overseeing development and services, is exerting all efforts with the support of the public and private sectors to reflect the beauty of Oman in an aesthetic form. The migratory birds seen in the operetta symbolize those who are coming to Oman to discover the beauty of the sea, desert and mountains and interact with the people and natural elements," he said.

These birds, Ahmed observed, played a role in attracting other birds to the oasis of love, security and peace, ‘which is Oman.

This theme of the operetta would be reflected in all activities of the festival, ‘conveying the Omani civilization to every visitor and tourist.’ Muscat with its unique location in the Arab Gulf region ‘is one of the places where the Omani civilization has interacted and spread to other peoples,’ he further said, stressing that Muscat Festival would add "a new dimension of graceful cultural interaction and beckon visitors keen on experiencing the rich cultural milieu of Oman in castles, forts, date palms, aflaj, frankincense, mountains, desert and sea."

Stilt-walkers dressed like flamingos and frankincense trees represented the natural flora and fauna of the southern Dhofar region. While the first part of the operetta underlined Oman's civilization through the visit of migratory birds, the second focused on the country's forts and castles as seen from inside the Jibreen Fort.

The sea and agriculture, especially Omani interaction with other civilizations, was the focus of attention in the third part and the life of Bedouins in the desert in the fourth.

The challenges posed by Oman's imposing mountains were the theme of the fifth part, while the final part told the story of the country's modern cultural and economic development.

As the show unfolded, a 30-metre-high water screen in the background projected laser images depicting the Sultanate's development and tourist landmarks.

A spellbinding display of fireworks brought the curtains down on the hour-long pageant that received a standing ovation from the audience. The operetta, which on Tuesday evening was open to invited guests only, will be staged every day for one week for the benefit of the public.

The Qurum Natural Park, which is sporting an altogether new look after extensive renovation following damages inflicted by Cyclone Gonu last year, is one of the main venues of the festival together with Festival Plaza in Azaiba, the Seeb beach, Al Sahwa Garden in Seeb and the Qurum Commercial Area, the last two new additions this year.

The brand new and sprawling Al Sahwa Park has been exclusively set aside for families and children and a host of activities and events have been lined up there for them.

"The venues have been prepared taking into consideration the diverse nature of events that they will host and their suitability to cater to visitors and residents belonging to different strata," a Muscat Municipality official explained.

The program, with hundreds of local and international artists participating and featuring musical fountains and laser and pyrotechnic shows, will be repeated every day until January 27 for the benefit of the public, from 8.30pm.

At Azaiba, the star draw will be an international fair with more than 40 countries taking part, a 'fun park city' offering rides and skills games for both adults and children, circus, Russian fire show, free flying show, and fireworks on Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting at 8pm. And for the first time, there will be special exhibitions displaying cosmetics, real estate, building materials, home appliances and electronic items.

The main theatre at Azaiba, meanwhile, will entertain the crowds with music and dance from various countries, music bands, magic shows, Chinese umbrella and rope displays. Activities planned at Al Sahwa Gardens include science and civil defence shows, fine art workshop and exhibition, a Heritage Centre, Bahja Educational Village, flower and gift-wrapping demos and traditional horse race. Also at the park, the main stage will host dance and music performances by foreign troupes, fashion design competition, international, Omani, Arab and children's fashion shows. There will also be a 'Culture Corner' and 'Exhibition Corner'.

Events lined up for the Qurum Commercial District are laser and light and balloon shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, bungee jumping, fine art exhibition, skill kiosks and motorcycle race, plays, bands and dances by international performers. An array of activities to be held at the Seeb Beach on Thursdays and Fridays will include a family village, traditional and popular games, kite show, chess championship, police dog show, marine sports, boat race, skiing shows, international sail boat race and eagles show by the Saudi Royal Hawks Team.

Track and field marathon, motorcycle shows, beach volleyball championship, art of driving show, bull fights, camel race, speed challenge, beach football championship, bicycle race, traditional horse race and special cars exhibition, as well as Arab and foreign music bands and dances will be among other attractions at Seeb.

Moutaz Afaghani, a representative of Syrian Operetta troupe Enana, said the migratory birds were also symbolic of Oman as a popular destination not only for tourists but also for business as well as work.

"Expatriates come and work here because of the warm and friendly nature of the people of Oman," he remarked.

There’s a fever in the air and it’s spreading everywhere. It’s that seasonal Muscat Festival fever that infects everybody with its special brand of effervescent fun and bonhomie. Any wonder that the crowds at three out of the four venues - the Qurum Natural Park, Athaiba and Al Sahwa Park - have begun to swell with excited people keen to experience the delights the festival has to offer.

For children, there are cartoon characters like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Shrek, Spiderman and others, drawing squeals of laughter. There’s the Amusement and Fun Park that has games of skills and rides like Toy Train, Dubai Bounce, Fantasia, Sudden Impact, Dance House, Music Express and Sound Machine. There is plenty of stuff to eat and drink as well.

The Festival Committee has designated special activities and programs for families only. This festival provides Omani families with a wide variety of activities far from the hustle and bustle.

This step is considered the first of its kind taken by Muscat Municipality. Families said that it was an innovative idea that gave opportunities to families to enjoy the festival quietly. When some families were asked about this idea in practice at Sahwa Park, they praised the scheme expressing their wish to see more electronic games for children.

They also praised the cartoon characters in costumes across the park. Many families lauded Sahwa Park as a wonderful place where families can enjoy their time in peace especially after the execution of this step by Muscat Municipality and the Festival Committee.

As part of the festival activities, a team from Aljazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) arrived at Muscat Festival Square in Al Athaiba. The JCC team is on a visit to the Sultanate to take part in the festival. Al Darb, a competition program produced by Aljazeera, focuses on children and is considers a first for the Arab world. The program’s activities began on Wednesday with children challenging each other in mental and physical competitions.

The festival has over the years become a major tourist attraction, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors from within the country and outside. Last year, the number of people visiting the event from the GCC and other Arab states and foreign countries totaled 2.3 million, compared with 2.2 million in 2006 and 1.8 million in the 2005.

For his part, al-Mantheri praised the municipality of Muscat's efforts to organize this year festival.

Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman, is a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity. Flanked by a rugged mountainous terrain that fortifies the city and facing an azure blue sea that shimmers in all glory, Muscat is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Sunny beaches, picturesque gardens, shimmering waterfalls, mystique laden caves, magnificent wadis...Muscat abounds in natural beauty and spectacular geographical diversity.

Renowned as one of the prominent cradles of ancient civilization, Muscat has been known since the Second Century AD as a strategic maritime centre linking Asia with Africa and Europe.

A citadel of a colorful and glorious heritage, Muscat is home to towering forts, impressive castles, varied museums, traditional monuments and ancient gates that serve as everlasting memoirs of a golden past.

A treasure trove of cultural hotspots such as theatres, cultural and literature clubs, fine art galleries, heritage souks and annual events such as the Muscat Festival, Cinema Festival, and International Book Fair enhance Muscat’s reputation as the culture capital of the Arabian world. Muscat is the ultimate dream destination for any traveler. The Government along with the Muscat Municipality have ensured the availability of the most modern infrastructure and civic amenities that make every visitor feel at home in Muscat. Come to Muscat if you are looking to indulge your senses and quench your thirst for adventure while soaking in vintage Arabian hospitality and heritage.

Muscat Festival celebrates Oman’s traditional arts, culture and heritage while providing people of Oman fun, adventure, excitement and entertainment. Muscat Festival, which is Oman’s most spectacular tourist attraction, has played a very significant role in building and supporting the country’s flourishing tourism and hospitality industry.

Since its inception in February 1998, Muscat Festival has attracted hordes of visitors from around the world and captured their imagination through eye-catching events and activities that have successfully showcased the true essence of Oman.

Over the years, Muscat Festival has proven to be a grand success, with over 2.0 million visitors in 2006 alone. This year, Muscat Festival is expected to attract over three million visitors who will get an opportunity to discover as well as savor Oman’s distinctive Arabian cultural heritage. In fact, this year’s festival coincides with the observance of ‘Muscat as Arab Cultural Capital of 2006’.