The five-day Al Jabal Al Akhdhar Tourism Festival continued on Thursday with games and exhibition of produce and handicrafts made in the wilayat. The festival is being organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and is held in cooperation with the Office of Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, Wali Office at Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and Oman From Horseback team.
Visitors thronged the stalls set up by the Omani Women's Association and farmers to buy pomegranates, olives, cosmetics and care and rose products. Many institutions also participated in the exhibition and introduced visitors to the roles they play in community services.
The horse riders of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate participated in the festival wearing traditional dress and chanting folk songs to entertain the crowds lined up on both sides of the square.
The riders also presented show jumping and other equestrian skills.
The folklore group in the Wilayat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar performed a variety of folk songs. The artists performed Al Razha with their swords and sticks. They sang patriotic songs praising the love of the homeland.
A number of participants in the exhibition expressed their satisfaction, stressing that the festival, the first of its kind, contributed to the promotion of their products.
Abdul Rahman al Saqri said the festival contributed greatly to the promotion of the products such as rose water, mint, olive extract, and a number of aromatic products from Al Jabal Al Akhdhar farms.
Al Saqri said, “We hope that this festival will be held annually, as it is an opportunity to introduce our products to a wider audience.”
Abdul Rahman al Omari, who participated in the exhibition with white and red rose water, grape vinegar, jasmine water, frankincense water and many types of fruits, expressed happiness over the huge turnout of visitors. "We are hopeful that this festival will be a new window for marketing our products and making it known to the people from other wilayats.
Al Omari pointed out that the efforts of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the organisers of the first festival in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar will certainly contribute to the promotion of the wilayat and its tourism.
Ali al Fahdi expressed his satisfaction with the festival, stressing that many visitors saw the products he displayed in his stall.
Abdul Malik al Tobi said Al Jabal Al Akhdhar is rich in fruits and vegetables and the wilayat's people have developed modern and innovative products from the produce.
Al Tobi said: "The festival is an opportunity to get acquainted with some merchants from different wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman and GCC."
Shafiqa bint Salem al Omariya, who sells soaps with natural ingredients, said this festival is a great opportunity to present products to the public.
Fatima al Ameriya, a member of the Board of Directors of the Omani Women’s Association in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, said: The association participated in the exhibition with products like rose water, Omani snacks and sweets, and handicrafts made of palm fronds, wood and wool.
Al Ameriya explained that the festival came in line with the great development witnessed by the wilayat, noting that women in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar are keen to contribute with men in businesses to generate income and support families.
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