AHMED AL KAABI
The Sultanate of Oman participated as Guest of Honour at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair on Wednesday, presenting its literary heritage, maritime history and contemporary cultural achievements through a pavilion bringing together 25 entities and 17 Omani publishing houses.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of His Highness Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in the presence of Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth.
Welcoming Oman, the Ruler of Sharjah said its participation offered visitors an opportunity to explore the country’s intellectual and literary heritage and the continuing contributions of its writers and creative talents.
Sayyid Saud said Oman’s selection reflected the close historical ties between Oman and the United Arab Emirates and the strength of their cultural cooperation. He described participation in the fair as an extension of Oman’s active presence at international cultural forums.
The minister also highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in publishing, translation, research and the arts, stressing the role of culture in developing people, strengthening values and advancing societies.
Inspired by Oman’s seafaring history, the pavilion’s ship-like design provides the setting for exhibitions exploring the country’s intellectual output and cultural connections across the centuries.
Among the highlights is Maden Al Asrar Fi Elm Al Behar, a manuscript on maritime navigation by Omani sea captain Nasser al Khadhuri, inscribed on Unesco’s Memory of the World Register in 2017. Other exhibits include a Quran manuscript featuring the seven canonical readings, historical writings and medical manuscripts.
Displays trace maritime links between Sharjah and Omani sea captains, extending to Musandam, Qalhat, Sur and Dhofar. A publication compiled from Muttrah’s Sharia court records documents captains from the UAE whose names appeared between 1934 and 1973.
The pavilion also features exhibitions of Omani publications and rare manuscripts from the Islamic world.
Ten panels explore Oman’s civilisation and historical foundations, alongside displays of its intellectual and cultural heritage and elements of intangible cultural heritage inscribed by Unesco.
Virtual and augmented reality experiences introduce aspects of Omani culture, while an exhibition of classical Arabic calligraphy presents six works by Omani artists inspired by inscriptions and decorative motifs in Omani and Arab manuscripts.
A section dedicated to the Ayn platform showcases e-books and audiobooks. Other displays highlight Omani historical figures with a global influence, while an exhibition of Omani faces and costumes comprises six three-dimensional figures and six photographic panels.
An exhibition of rare Omani manuscripts presents six examples, complemented by panels tracing cultural connections through the history of Omani manuscripts and printed works.
The accompanying programme comprises 28 events featuring intellectuals, researchers, writers and artists. Lectures, discussions, poetry and musical evenings, folk arts and workshops cover subjects including social harmony, archaeology, contemporary fiction, children’s literature, visual arts and scientific research.
Joint Omani-Emirati poetry evenings and creative workshops inspired by folk tales and traditional objects provide further opportunities for cultural exchange.
Participating bodies include the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth; the Ministry of Information; the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs; the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism; Sultan Qaboos University; and the National Records and Archives Authority. The Omani Society for Writers and Literati, Cultural Club, Memory of Oman Centre and Bait Al Zubair Foundation are also taking part.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, aims to use international participation to strengthen Oman’s profile as a tourism destination. A dedicated promotional section screens short tourism films highlighting the country’s historical attractions and scenic beauty. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority under the theme “Made of Stories”, the fair runs at Expo Centre Sharjah until November 15.
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