Muscat: The Second Ajwaa al Ashkharah Festival, organised by the South al Sharqiyah Governorate in collaboration with various government and private entities, continues to draw large crowds at Al Ashkhara Public Park. The festival has been met with enthusiastic public turnout, particularly over the weekend, as visitors flocked to enjoy the diverse and brilliantly presented events and activities.
The festival's programme features a wide range of cultural and entertainment segments and competitions, which have garnered significant audience interaction and admiration. Highlights include the Al Ashkhara Football and Beach Volleyball League draw, marking the start of one of the region's most anticipated sporting events.
The festival stage hosts a variety of interactive performances, including comedy segments, a storyteller's segment, theatrical shows by the Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan troupe, bubble shows, puppets, cartoon characters, circus shows, artistic performances, laser shows, and paragliding displays that adorned the skies of Al Ashkhara.
The theater at Al Ashkhara Public Park showcases several marine folklore arts, such as Medima, Choubani, and Al Bahri, performed by the “Sawt Al Nahham” Folklore Arts Band. Poetry evenings, featuring well-known Omani poets like Mutaib al Sharari, Nasser al Ghailani, and Nasser al Kasbi, have also attracted a large audience of poetry enthusiasts.
The festival's activities, which continue throughout the event, include recreational, heritage, cultural, and sports programs, as well as specialised events and performances targeting various groups, tourists, and visitors.
Among these are interactive heritage competitions, including the Al Ghadafa competition, where seafarers throw fishing nets to catch sardines, supporting and encouraging anglers.
Other interactive competitions, such as cooking Al Arsi Al Jaalani, a traditional dish of rice, meat, and salt served on special occasions, add to the atmosphere of fun, joy, and excitement.
The forum’s media committee stated that the festival features daily permanent activities and additional daily sports competitions, children's and adult theater, a heritage corner, a pioneers’ exhibition, electronic and electrical games, and interactive characters. These activities are announced daily on the forum’s social media accounts.
The committee has prepared extensively through ongoing meetings since its formation by the office of His Excellency the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah. They developed the festival's visual identity, designed posters for social media, and created a detailed media work plan to evaluate daily activities and visitor feedback.
The committee has also coordinated with various media outlets to cover the event, receiving full cooperation in broadcasting the festival's happenings.
The festival serves as a recreational outlet for visitors from both the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and other regions. It also holds economic and developmental significance, contributing to economic diversification and enriching the tourism sector. This is particularly important during the summer, as tourists flock to the Al Ashkhara Niyabat and the coastal areas stretching over 120 km from the Wilayat of Masirah in the south to Ras al Hadd in the north. The festival emphasises the importance of preserving the environment and public property for all to enjoy.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
