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Month-long cultural extravaganza concludes

By Lakshmi Kothaneth — MUSCAT — Muscat Festival 2014 came to a close yesterday. For a month it has been an extravaganza of culture, heritage, entertainment and sports organised by Muscat Municipality. One of the biggest attractions was the exploration of cultures at Al Amerat Park as artisans created workshops at their pavilions representing their respective countries. This segment of Muscat Festival has always attracted visitors as they get a sense of travel to nations. About 1400 artists from 83 nations performed during this month. Public Authority for Crafts and Industries (PACI) is a regular feature at the International Exhibition for Art, Heritage and Creativity and this year they focused on small and medium enterprises that are specialising in traditional crafts of Oman.

Some of the entrepreneurs chose the festival season to launch their brands. “This year we wanted to focus on upcoming entrepreneurs and showcase their work as Muscat Festival is an excellent platform,” Said Badriya al Fauri from PACI. The workmanship ranged from perfumes, bakhoor, jewellery to other metal work. The Heritage Village has been the hotspot for tourists as they could experience whole of Oman in one way or the other. From the food court area it was a taste of Omani cuisine with the aroma filling the air along with the chatter of families. The other side of the Heritage Village had the group performance called Moalad that left the viewers spellbound.

The Omani artisans’ souq saw brisk business this year as visitors collected traditional jewellery, handicrafts, distilled rose water and frankincense water, indigo cloth from Bahla, etc. The Educational Village by the Ministry of Education attracted both parents and children as they explored skills at the same time went back with mini licenses as they went through theory and practical education learning about road safety at the Traffic Park, which was created in coordination with Oman Association for Road Safety and Shell Oman Marketing Company. The private sector’s participation was active as each organisation competed to give a unique experience to the visitors, especially the children.

Naseem Garden had its attractions in the rides, entertainment and educational shows along with consumer exhibition. A bustling place Naseem Park annually draws huge crowds during the Muscat Festival. The weekends of Muscat Festival were dedicated to sport at Seeb Beach varying from beach ball to volley ball and triathlon that attracted international athletes. For some of the international athletes it was first major triathlon race of the year 2014. Another event that brings in the adrenaline to Muscat Festival is Tour of Oman with its final stage and the toughest held at Jabal Al Akhdhar.  “This is our fifth year and it is always inspiring to see the overwhelming response from the international cyclists.

We change the routes every year to create the excitement and a surprise element. But they always look forward to Jabal Al Akhdhar,” explained Habib al Zawawi one of the organinsing team members for sports activities at Muscat Municipality. However the general public did miss the Fashion Show, Art Exhibitions and Omani Cuisine Festival this year. Muscat Festival has earned its place as the family festival and now it is time to wait for it in the coming year.

Sunday 23rd, February 2014 / 02:23 Written by Oman Observer in Local, Main