ِAshraf AboArafe
Muttrah Heritage and Tourism Festival is a pioneering national experience that carries many meanings and objectives, as well as diversity in its programmes and activities. It embodies the ancient history of Muttrah.
According to ONA, the festival, which began its activities on 14 March and continues until 28 March 2018 is an opportunity for entertainment and enjoyment for different segments of the society. In Reym Park, products are showcased for 80 families and 45 craftsmen specialising in the traditional Omani heritage. The Productive Families Committee has set up suitable pavilions for participating families to display their products of handicrafts, perfumes, incense, sewing and embroidery.
The boat painting is a new and interesting activity that is held for the first time in the Sultanate’s festivals. A group of famous artists from inside and outside the Sultanate take part in this activity, including 20 Omani artists and 10 artists from outside the Sultanate. The visitor can watch them while they are drawing scenes from Muttrah. Dar Al Atta’a will hold a charity auction to sell the boats. The revenue will be given to charity organisations after the end of the festival.
The visitor to the events of Muttrah Heritage and Tourism Festival might notice the participation of communities living in the Wilayat of Muttrah (Sudanese, Indian, Iranian and Jordanian communities, besides other communities), through the presentation of traditional arts, and displaying famous handicrafts, and cuisine in their countries. A special stage is given to them to display some of their folklore arts and many other events.
The child has a special place in the festival where a full programme has been allocated for children, such as colouring on faces, drawing, children’s songs and contests. Prizes and gifts are distributed to them. There is also a special programme for religious Inshad “reciting,” in which a number of famous singers take part in the Wilayat of Muttrah, in addition to a corner to teach Arabic language for non-native speakers.
The festival also shows artistic performances of the traditional teams from many wilayats, in addition to the competition of plastic arts and painting of the various features of the Wilayat of Muttrah. Al Qala Group from the Wilayat of A’Rustaq presents some of their famous performances.
In the Port of Sultan Qaboos in the Wilayat of Muttrah, the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) vessel “Shabab Oman II” participates effectively throughout the festival.
The cultural activity is an important element in the activities of Muttrah Heritage and Tourism Festival. Muttrah Sabla “Majlis” is witnessing the organisation of continuous events and lectures. Two lectures on electronic fraud and business mentality were organised.
In the festival, there is an old heritage cafe that imitates popular cafés in the sixties and early seventies. It serves popular dishes famous in the Wilayat of Muttrah and all the popular Omani dishes.
The Wilayat of Muttrah in the Governorate of Muscat is one of the oldest cities in the Sultanate. It dates back to about 3000 BC. It is located in the northeastern part of the Sultanate. It overlooks the coast of the Sea of Oman and contains one of the most important ports in the Sultanate. It is the Port of Sultan Qaboos, which is now a tourist port, full of boats loaded with tourist groups to enjoy the city’s rich tourist attractions represented in the old castles and towers, as well as the narrow alleys and the historical market, which dates back to more than 200 years.
