London: The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in London on Thursday held a launch ceremony for a historical documentary film titled "Wonders of Oman". The documentary embodies various civilisations and cultures that Oman witnessed through thousands of years.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information.
The documentary was produced through cooperation between Nizwa Magazine and Sandstone Global, a British production firm. It constituted the outcome of a visit made by British novelist and professor Bettany Hughes to a variety of archaeological and historical sites in Oman, right from the Governorate of Musandam, on the north, to the Governorate of Dhofar, on the south.
The film will be shown on BBC World Channel and Channel 4, a public broadcasting television channel in the UK. Both channels have millions of followers.
Bettany Hughes said in comments that her visit to Oman was aimed at exploring the country’s deep-rooted history. She added that the visit offered her an opportunity to have a close look at different manifestations of the country’s civilisations from BC to the Middle Ages.
During the visit, Hughes accompanied the exploratory teams that were studying some sites that housed indications and evidence about the existence of ancient settlements from the Copper Age. She also toured many castles and forts in Oman.
The film provides a view of a journey that takes place at Al Hajar Mountains, specifically in Jabal Shams, and demonstrates how Omani people made use of these mountains since the times of Majan civilisation. It also shows how copper trade enabled that civilisation to flourish.
The film also depicts facts about the ancient burial grounds of Bat in the Wilayat of Ibri. It also spans the area of Wadi Dawka in Dhofar Governorate where the frankincense trade was once a thriving commercial practice undertaken by Oman’s population, which also engaged in commercial activities related to spice trade among India, China and Egypt.
The film highlights the history of the ancient city of Sumharam in Dhofar Governorate and Khor Rori, as well as the latest discoveries dating back to the 5th century BC. It also projects the groundwater channels “aflaj” in the Misfat Al Abriyeen (the Wilayat of Al Hamra) and demonstrates how these channels led to the growth and prosperity of agrarian societies, with special focus on the Wilayat of Bahla, with its famous castle and ancient wall.
The film also focuses on marine life in Musandam Governorate and highlights the significance of maritime trade that gave rise to the the Kumzari language, a mixture of languages such as Persian, Portuguese, French, and other languages of the peoples who frequented Musandam in the past for trade.
Bettany is an award-winning historian, author and broadcaster, whose speciality is global culture. Her programmes are regularly watched by 250 million worldwide. She is currently a Tutor for Cambridge University’s Institute of Continuing Education, a Research Fellow of King’s College London and a Visiting Professor of History at NCH.
She has written and presented over 50 radio and television documentaries on international subjects ranging from Islamic culture to the great philosophers and artists of the world for the BBC, Channel 4, Discovery, PBS, The History Channel, National Geographic and ITV.
In terms of media communication, Oman, represented by the Ministry of Information, is working in coordination and continuous contact with the Foreign Press Association in London, the oldest media organisation of its kind in the world.
Communication also takes place through a variety of programmes, including hosting of the annual awards ceremony of the association, as this symbolises cultural relations and diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom.
Oman has a prominent presence in the British media through its works to promote strategic projects and investment opportunities that enhance Oman’s position locally and internationally. The press coverage also seeks to showcase Oman’s history that lasts for centuries. It includes the broadcasting of interviews and the publishing of special articles in British media. — ONA
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