The Sarb season of Dhofar emerges as Khareef Dhofar Season comes to a close, shining sunlight down upon the grass, trees and mountains of the region. The short season, still flourishing with the plant growth of Khareef and yet bright with clear skies unlike the previous rainy months, is appreciated by people all over the Sultanate of Oman for outdoor events. The Wilayat of Rakhyout, located in the western region of Dhofar Governorate, has taken the opportunity to enjoy this season by opening the Sarb Festival.
With each Sarb season, a wide range of activities and programmes are launched in Rakhyout to attract visitors and tourists. These events, which will be held between November 5 and 8, are being organised by several governmental entities, including the Wali’s office, Dhofar Municipality and the Rakhyout Fort Administration, which manages the city's main landmark.
"There will be many different activities in the festival", said Hamid Said Akaak, founder of the Rakhyut Fort Museum and General Supervisor of the Rakhyut Fort events...There will be art exhibitions depicting the locals of the mountains and the coast, as well as representations of traditional crafts that the region was once famous for".
Included in the list of activities during the festival are sports events to be held on the beach. "There will be football, volleyball, as well as a 5-km marathon for all ages", he said.
Activities have also been organised for the entertainment for children, with games and a theatre being included in the multitude of events.
The Rakhyut Fort Museum, one of the city's most important landmarks, highlights Rakhyout's rich roots in culture and tradition as an historic seaport in the past. "The Museum will be open throughout the festival, displaying the historical lifestyle in Rakhyout. There will be exhibitions for art and traditional clothes", Said Hamid, "And there will also be a space for traditional games and a display for traditional women’s handicrafts".
In addition to offering new experiences for visitors, the festival also provides business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the form of food stalls and small shops catering to the high influx of visitors.
The festival attracts all sorts of tourists to experience the natural beauty and rich culture of the secluded city. Both locals all over the Sultanate of Oman as well as international tourists from other Gulf countries and Europe have visited during previous festivals.
"Ultimately, these events are part of broader efforts to promote heritage and culture and pass them on to future generations". Akaak said. "And they have significantly contributed to the local economy and tourism development in the region".
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