Muscat: Erik van Scherpenzeel, a dedicated photographer from the Netherlands, has been able to wholeheartedly document the early stages of Sultanate of Oman’s renaissance, way back from 1970 to 1974.
He recently offered his exceptional collection as a special gift to the Sultanate of Oman, based on his deep love for the country and on his keenness to enrich its national archives. Actually, his collection illuminates this pivotal era of Oman’s modern history.
After his engagement in the1970s, Scherpenzeel visited the Sultanate of Oman a second time, in the 1990s, and produced another collection, which he collated with the earlier one under the title “Oman, Past and Present”.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Scherpenzeel said that over the past four years he spent in the Sultanate of Oman in the early 70s, he was able to document a large number of scenes, scenery and landmarks of Omani governorates that reflected the social, cultural and human heritage of the country, in addition to its geographical, topographical and geological features.
Now, after 50 years, the Sultanate of Oman has seen a comprehensive transformation, thanks to the country’s ability to keep pace with the events of the age as they unfolded.
Scherpenzeel said that photos are more truthful in projecting reality at a time the rhythm of life is changing at a rapid pace, crisscrossing with all aspects of social interactions.
He affirmed that he was already in the Sultanate of Oman by June 1970, three weeks prior to late Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s accession to power in the country.
“Life in the Sultanate of Oman was marvelous and Omani people were gentle, noble, sociable and truthful in their friendship,” said Scherpenzeel, noting that one could move freely in the fascinating landscape and that one could even sleep safely on the golden dunes.
Scherpenzeel said he could still remember his visit to Sur and the long trip to the easterly wilayat from Muscat by 4-wheel on the rough roads. Everywhere he went, he could observe Omani people’s devotion to the Islamic religion and sound Arabian habits and traditions of hospitality.
Oman’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Shaikh Dr Abdullah Salim al Harthi, said that these sincere reflections represent a model of the Sultanate of Oman’s soft power that distinguishes Omani people among nations of the world.
Al Harthi added that, when he visited Scherpenzeel at his home in the Netherlands, he was astonished at the man’s amicable reaction. “It was as if he had known me for a very long time. His warm welcome unveiled his deep love to the Sultanate of Oman and his thorough knowledge of the country, the reputation of its people and the grandeur of its leadership.”
Many things struck me as I entered Scherpenzeel’s home: Every corner is adorned with an image from the Sultanate of Oman. Not only that, his bedroom is bedecked with historical paintings, books, mementos and even old rifles from the Sultanate of Oman, Al Harthi said.
What baffled me more was the fact that Scherpenzeel made accounts of Omani villages and countryside in such details that gave me the impression that I was listening to an academic in Omani history and civilization, and this is documented in photographs, Al Harthi added.
The ambassador explained that he visited Scherpenzeel to thank him for the gift he presented to the Sultanate of Oman and to express gratitude for such a humanitarian gesture.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
