RIYADH: Al Janadriyah National Heritage and Cultural Festival, which was inaugurated on December 20 under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia in the presence of His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq al Said, Adviser to His Majesty the Sultan, has been attracting a large number of visitors.
The Sultanate’s pavilion has since the opening witnessed heavy footfall of visitors keen to get acquainted with Oman’s history and cultural heritage. The Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and a number of public and private institutions took part in the festival with a view to reflecting the Sultanate’s ancient heritage.
Rashid al Siyabi, head of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture’s delegation participating in the festival, said the participation comes within the framework of fostering existing cooperation between the Sultanate and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the cultural field and the Sultanate’s keenness to participate in this large festival.
The Sultanate’s pavilion comprised various programmes and activities which won visitors’ admiration. Every year the Sultanate expands its participation in the festival in order to highlight its rich heritage.
The heritage exhibition ‘Oman Through History’ has received high commendation and attention from the visitors.
It contained a number of cultural and historical items with special focus on Oman’s maritime history. It also contained replicas of Oman’s forts and castles and paintings of Oman’s renowned historical personalities such as Sayyid Said bin Sultan, Ahmed bin Majid, Ibi Muslim al Bahlani, Al Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufra, among others. It also showcased the most prominent Omani historical sites included in the list of the Unesco non-tangible cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Tourism’s corner contained pictures of tourist sites in Oman as well as brochures and maps of the Sultanate’s most prominent tourist destinations.
Visitors to the Sultanate’s pavilion have particularly reacted with the shows that were staged by Al Rustaq Fort Folk Troupe with its astounding traditional dances and songs such as the Razha dance and the other traditional arts.
The Sultanate’s pavilion has earned praise for its unique and varied cultural shows that enabled the visitors to identify Oman’s history and cultural heritage.
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