January 19, 2007

"LIVING CULTURE AND FAMILY FUN;" THE SLOGAN OF MUSCAT FESTIVAL: LARGE ARAB AND GULF ATTENDANCE AT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL IS A YEARLY EVENT THAT ACTIVATES TOURISM, AND FRESHENS THE ARTISTIC, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIFE IN OMAN. 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 colourful 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. 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. 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 savour Oman's distinctive Arabian cultural heritage. This year, Muscat Festival promises to be a mega event that will live up to the expectations of all visitors by creating the greatest ever celebration of culture and arts in the Middle East. Prince of the Seas (Ameer Al Bihar) and other cultural programmes regaled the audience at the official opening of the Muscat Festival 2007 at the Qurum Natural Park's Floating Theatre. The opening ceremony, held under the auspices of Sayyid Ali Bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, commenced with the National Anthem, followed by cultural programmes and a musical operetta, highlighting the sea-faring tradition of Oman. Members of the royal family, ministers, undersecretaries and members of the diplomatic missions attended the nearly one-and-a-half-hour foot-tapping musical and cultural extravaganza. The programme commenced with a speech by Engineer Abdullah Bin Abbas Bin Ahmed, Chairman, Muscat Municipality and head of the Muscat Festival-2007 Organising Committee, who shed light on the festival and also pointed out how the Muscat Festival 2007 was different from the previous years. He spoke about the rich cultural heritage of Oman. The Ameer Al Bihar dance musical, staged by a 180-member troupe, traced the rich sea-faring tradition of Oman. The story written by Ali Al Rawahi depicted an Omani sailor's visit to Africa, China, India and Europe with others and the traditions in these countries. Laser lighting and dances enthralled the audience. This was followed by fireworks display. The sky lit up with every colour ever seen and for a good while too. The 33-day Muscat Festival, which began on January 1, is showcasing the culture, tradition and heritage of Oman. The month-long festival is also showcasing the heritage and culture of other regions. Various entertainment and cultural events are being held in various venues, including Qurum Park, Athaiba and Seeb Beach. Realistic and fantastic! All roads in the city lead to the sprawling Qurum Natural Park, the central venue of the eighth edition of Muscat Festival. The operetta was a passionate and dramatic rendition of artistes and singers as it ascribed the name Muscat, its rich tradition and cultural ties with the rest of the world. Panoramic scenes from Arab, Asian and Western cultures and their gradual integration with the Omani society came alive with fantastic music in the background. The awesome performance also demonstrated the slogan of the festival, 'Living Culture and Family Fun'. The operetta envisaged different cultures that shaped the world's ancient civilisations, and development of the mankind. Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, minister of the Diwan of Royal Court, presided over the grand opening ceremony at the park. The opening ceremony also included fireworks on a grand scale. The wonderful fireworks in the dark night sky drew gasps of admiration and emotion. Fireworks were set against a spectacular backdrop of Muscat's skyline. This year, the fireworks concert attracted thousands of people to various vantage points throughout the city. Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, chairman of the Muscat Municipality, welcomed guests comprising ministers, royal family members, undersecretaries, diplomats and senior media people at the official opening of the month-long extravagance. There has been heavy turnout on all festival premises since January 1. The festival showcases dance and music festivals, crafts and food fiesta and several other ethnic shows to attract public at large. The avenue trees along the Muscat-Qurum road have been illuminated with lights that blend with the streetlights and traffic. The spectacular event entertained visitors across the city with thousands gathered in and outside the park, Qurum street gardens and surrounding areas. The crowds cooperated fully and applauded Muscat Municipality for its endeavours to enthral the public at large. This year, organisers said, nearly three million people are expected to attend the festival. The festival has more than 500 exciting programmes and activities. The key objective of the festival is to illustrate the rich and varied heritage of Oman, and its strong relationship with other countries. The festival, Muscat Municipality officials said, will gradually emerge as a global event as it has pavilions of most traditions and cultures. The festival offers visitors to experience the rich heritage of Oman, folk music and handicrafts. It showcases both past and the present. Muscat Festival, the mega event, 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. At Qurum, the Heritage Village, as in the past years, was the top draw. 'Living Culture and Family Fun', the slogan this year, seemed apt as families of various nationalities went around seeping in the informative splendour revealed at the Village. The completely new and refurbished Heritage Village wears a totally different look this year. Souks from around the Arab world have been brought alive here with their unique flavour and character. The 'Souk Khan Al Khalili' of Egypt takes one literally to the lanes and by lanes of the famous souk. The Al Hamidiyah Souk of Syria that is world-renowned too comes alive in all its true glory. The replica is so authentic that one gets a feeling of being right inside Syria and coming out of it turns out to be nostalgic. Oman's own Muttrah Souk is also replicated with the same verve that one gets to see at the souk. The frankincense and silver trinkets and other knick-knacks that have made the Muttrah souk popular and endearing with the visitors are seen here as well. Other souks in this enclosure that are a must to visit are the Moroccan Souk where the shop-keepers are dressed in beautiful Moroccan outfit and greet everyone with their infectious smile and cheer and the Sana Souk of Yemen which boasts some of the best merchandise typical of the place. Another major draw is the Forum of People's Culture, located on the side opposite the Heritage Village, with countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, Egypt, Tanzania, Turkey, Algeria, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Yemen taking part, portraying their unique traditions and rituals to the visitors. And at Azaiba, people made a beeline to see the vast range of exhibits at the Global Village, and also to revel in the play area that has some of the first-ever-games to Oman in its games arena. The dare devil stunts by some of the international groups too were a crowd-puller. In fact, the Global Village stands out for the sheer range of products on display from the various countries taking part in the fair. A highly educational show titled 'North South East West' (NSEW) that immensely appeals to both children and adults and acts as a visual wake up call on the dangers of climate change and the solutions that have been proposed by some countries is drawing large numbers of Muscat Festival visitors since it opened at the Qurum Natural Park. The exhibition, which will run until January 29, was developed by the British Council in partnership with The Climate Group and Magnum Photographic Agency as part of the 'ZeroCarbonCity' initiative a two-year global campaign to raise awareness and stimulate debate around climate change and the challenges we face. It features the work of 10 leading Magnum photographers who travelled to 12 locations around the world, capturing not only the impacts of global warming, but also the solutions which are being implemented north, south, east and west to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Their pictures show how climate change impacts on people in a myriad of ways and highlights that global warming is far more than just an environmental issue. NSEW is part of 'British Exhibition', jointly mounted by the British Council and British Embassy, at the Family Village at the Qurum Natural Park, one of the main venues of Muscat Festival. It will be officially inaugurated today by Minister of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources Shaikh Abdullah Al Rawas. Yesterday and on Thursday, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, a group of three pipers and two percussionists based in Scotland, gave two brief concerts at the British pavilion which were greatly enjoyed by the audience. At the British Council stall, visitors can find general information about the council's activity in Oman and advice on study options in the UK, while the embassy stall hosts the Peter Sanders Art of Integration Exhibition: Islam in Britain's Green and Pleasant Lands. Peter is a Muslim convert and is internationally recognised as one of the leading photographers of the Muslim world. In 2005, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office sponsored him to take a collection of photographs depicting Muslim Life in Britain. This unique set of pictures is the result. Meanwhile, a 'Drug-Bus' at the Children's Village, meant to apprise children about the abuses of drugs, has been receiving praise from visitors for the message it tries to convey. The Drug-Bus is actually a bus that has been converted into an exhibit-vehicle showing actual drugs, their allotropies and various real cases of drug abuse that depict the extent of harm they cause. The Drug-Bus is organised and maintained by the Prevention of Drug abuse cell of the Royal Oman Police.