Stunned by 'People Factor', Italian artist duo recounts days in Oman

Smitten by the beauty of the land and temperament of its people, Italian duo Dr Luca Moretti and Dr Lucia Oliva are revisiting their years in the Sultanate of Oman through a forthcoming book inspired by their artistic experiences in Oman.
Moretti, an event organiser, author and lawyer, and Oliva, a fine artist, content and event designer and art curator, co-authored the book, which recounts backstage moments from their careers across the world, with a special focus on Oman, a country they say captured their hearts from the moment they first arrived around 15 years ago on holiday.
What began as a short visit eventually led the pair to establish roots in Oman. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of their artistic and professional presence in Oman, which they describe as their “second home.”
“We begin with a lighthearted anecdote from that very first discovery of the country when we arrived here on holiday 15 years ago, a week of wandering through the city, visiting museums, and spending long hours by the sea,” Moretti told the Observer from Italy.
One chapter, titled “On the Highway in Slippers,” recounts the couple unexpectedly walking from Wadi Al Kabir to Al Bustan village after roads were closed for a cycling race.
“As traffic had been suspended in an area where a cycling race was due to pass, we ended up setting off on foot, walking along the vast roads completely empty of cars,” he recalled. “It was an adventure that won us over all the more for its originality.”

The pair describe passing beneath the “triumphal entrance crowned with horses” before encountering a group of Omani men gathered in celebration for the cyclists.
“At its centre stood a group of more than twenty men of different ages, singing and dancing in a circle, synchronously swaying slender sticks in their hands,” the book reads. “Simple and fascinating movements, yet pulsing with an ancient sense of harmony.”
Another chapter, titled “Del Piero,” documents some of the duo’s early road trips between Muscat and Dubai, reflecting on their first impressions of Oman and its people.
“At those early times, years and years ago, we did not know Oman well and everything was new,” Moretti said. “We were struck by the politeness and kindness of people and police officers as well.”
One story recalls stopping at a service station near Barka at two in the morning after struggling to find their hotel. A man named Mohammed insisted on helping them personally.
“In time, we would learn that such behaviour is entirely normal, and that kindness and hospitality are defining traits of the Omani people,” the pair wrote.
The book, titled “With Utmost Adventurousness,” also references the premiere of their Faerie Tale project at Bait Al Zubair in 2024, while another full chapter explores Venice and the ancient incense trade route linking Oman to the wider world.
Set for release in mid-June, the book will initially launch in Italian before being translated into English. The release will coincide with a summer promotional tour across Italy, featuring presentations in mansions, literature clubs and libraries aimed at highlighting Oman’s culture and heritage to international audiences.