Ashraf Abo Arafe
In the city of light and culture Paris celebrated the launch of the participation of the Sultanate of Oman as a special guest on the Paris International Book Fair. The Omani pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. Abdel Monim bin Mansour Al Hosni, Minister of Information and head of the Sultanate’s delegation, and French Culture Minister Franck Ristier. The space of the horizons in France is now being played with Omani flutes and symphonic orchestra performances of peace.
* Special guest!
For his part, Dr. Abdul Monim bin Mansour Al Hosni, Minister of Information and Head of the Delegation of the Sultanate of Oman, appreciated the importance of hosting the Sultanate as a “special guest” in the exhibition and described it as an important event for the two countries, especially as it places the Omani culture in the appropriate position among the cultures of nations and peoples. Arab in general at the level of international exhibitions reflects the culture of the East and sends a message to all of what our countries possess from the level of civilization and the ability to contribute to the support of human culture.
* Main exhibitions!
Dr. Al Hosni pointed out the importance of the signs of diversity in the Omani books translated into French as well as the presence of music, theater and cinema with the participation of a large number of writers from the Sultanate. Dr. Abdul Monim bin Mansour Al Hosni pointed out that this exhibition is one of the most important international exhibitions on the global level, noting that the Sultanate’s presence of this cultural, intellectual and cultural momentum will be presented to the French public and the international one.
* Cultural treasures!
In the light of the words of the Minister of Information, the message of peace is the most important and the most welcome guest that deserves to be heard and seen, according to the Omani approach, which comes from the depth of the Arab Orient with its diversity of culture and originality and a rich cultural heritage in all vocabulary. The Sultanate opened its participation by inaugurating the Omani Corner, which will be held on an area of more than 350 square meters in the heart of the international exhibition, under a prominent title filled with profound cultural and political messages. Therefore, the theme of peace is always present and abundant in Omani participation in the exhibition, whether through the exhibits, as well as through the events and the accompanying dialogues.
* Historic coronation!
The Paris International Fair considered the Sultanate’s choice as a special guest as “the culmination of a long history of cultural exchanges between the two countries, recognizing the leading role of the Omani book in the cultural scene,” according to the website of the International Information Network. Cultural and millennial history, and living together on the basis of a model of participatory, inclusive and peaceful democracy, will allow French and European visitors to explore the country’s creative gifts. “
* Cultural heritage!
The Sultanate participates in an integrated pavilion of Omani cultural and cultural vocabulary beginning with ancient manuscripts, which represent an important aspect of Omani cultural heritage, and not more than 190 titles in various sciences and human arts, some in English and 37 titles translated into French.
* Mediating music!
The art of music in the Sultanate’s pavilion is also glowing through the participation of the Omani Symphony Orchestra, which will give the Sultanate a distinctive character and address the Europeans in a language they master through the music medium and its fresh melodies. As well as attending the plastic arts and paintings to give a glimpse of the features of the development of creativity in the Sultanate and the potential of the Omani artist. Omani handicrafts are also present as another feature of civilized development across time contexts.
* Cultural seminars!
In addition, cultural, intellectual, political, and cultural seminars are held to explore the history of Omani-French relations. The Ministry of Information has announced in Muscat and Paris details of the cultural program accompanying its participation in the exhibition.
The program includ:
– Lecture entitled “The Arabic Language and the French Language: Influence and Influence” followed by a lecture entitled “Childhood, its upbringing and its care in Oman”.
– A symposium on “How can Cinema be in the Service of Archeology: The Science of Exploration in the Sultanate between Protection and Challenges”, which presents a video based on the film “Oman Treasure Tracks”. The seminar is addressed by Professor Guillaume Gernez of Sorbonne University and Blanche Giche, Oman Treasure Track ».
– A symposium on the occasion of the quarter century of the first issue of the magazine Nizwa. With its editor, poet Saif al-Rahbi, who lived part of his life in Paris. The workshop will be attended by the Editor-in-Chief of Huda Al-Gomhouria.
– The first day of the events coincides with the organization of a poetry evening in which the poet Shamisa al-Nu’maniyyah, Fatima bint Ihsan al-Lutwiya and poet Hassan al-Matroushi will participate.
– This day witnessed the organization of a number of signing ceremonies on a series of Omani books in the presence of its authors. It received a great demand in international book fairs and an opportunity to meet the reader of the author of the book and be an opportunity to open dialogues about books and the world wide.
– A dialogue seminar on “Omani-French relations between yesterday and tomorrow” will be held, in which Mr. Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, former French Minister Herfidoucheret and Jean-Marie Bockel, Chairman of the Gulf Friendship Association will participate in the Senate.
– Celebration of the book “Writer in the Mountains of the Sultanate of Oman” for the French traveler and writer Jean-Christophe Rovin.
– A lecture entitled “The diversity of poetry and literature in Oman and its development” presented by the poet Said Saqlawi, President of the Association of Writers and Authors in the Sultanate.
While the researcher Dr. Aisha Aldermakia gives a lecture entitled “The pillars of culture and values of knowledge in Oman.”
