Muscat's alive with the sound of culture

The festival is as much about fun as about showcasing Omani culture ? not just to foreigners and expats but the younger generation of nationals who may never have seen ox drawing water from a well

Text and Pictures by Sunil K. Vaidya Oman Bureau Chief

The Qurum Nature Park is filled with the rhythmic sounds of craftsmen at work and traditional musical instruments as visitors throng the Muscat Festival to enjoy its old world charm.

Visitors, especially Europeans, are fascinated by the Heritage Village, which conveys the feeling of an early Omani hamlet.

"I got an insight into rich Omani traditions and their crafts at this village," said Dutch national Vincent Steven, who was engrossed by an ox drawing water from a well for the falaj system.

"I have never seen something as fascinating as this," said his wife Wendy.

Village houses

Typical Omani village houses are also created at the village where women wearing traditional burqas prepare Omani meals for visitors. And then there are craftsmen demonstrating the arts of weaving, boat making, khanjar making, basket making, pottery and other traditional crafts.

Senior citizens demonstrate most of these crafts. "Yes, foreigners get an insight into our traditions but I hope a large number of young Omanis who come here will learn to keep these traditions alive," said 65-year-old weaver Abdullah Ali.

Besides the Omani representation at the Heritage Village, the culture of other Arab countries is also on display in the pavilions of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Cultural capital, after all

"We want to showcase Oman?s culture and traditional treasures through the Muscat Festival as the city has been chosen as the Arab cultural capital of 2006," Abdullah Bin Abbas Bin Ahmad, President of Muscat Municipality, told Gulf News.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the Heritage Village that gave me insights into the Omani heritage and culture," said Andy Deni, who came to Oman on a short holiday from Jakarta, Indonesia.

He was pleasantly surprised to learn that some of the activities showcased at the Heritage Village were still alive and well in many Omani villages.

While the customs and traditions of Oman fascinate visitors, it is the sounds of traditional music, clapping and dances that fill the air as the winter sun sets, casting an amber glow over the venue.

Folklore troupes from various wilayats (provinces) perform daily at the Qurum Nature Park. In addition, a folklore troupe from neighbouring Yemen is also performing at the Heritage Village.

The performances are impromptu and scattered across the park, much like a street theatre.

While adults enjoy the traditional dances and music, children are captivated by the Russian performers with their tricks in almost every nook and cranny of the park.

While Deni concentrated on Omani heritage, his four-year-old daughter Marian enjoyed a juggling act by a group of young Russians. "I think they provide a great relief for the children at this venue," said Deni. Russian showmen combine street theatre, jugglery, clowns, music and other live entertainment with an exhilarating "fire show" every night.

Rides galore

The Amusement Park at the Muscat Festival Plaza in the Azaiba area provides a wide range of amusement, adventure and skill-based activities with various rides like merry-go-rounds, caterpillar rides, train rides, roller coasters and of course games in which visitors can win prizes.

Hi-tech wizardry

"From the Desert to Light", the multimedia show and fireworks display held every night at the lakeside theatre at Qurum Natural Park is a big draw. The multimedia show involves hi-tech laser wizardry on giant screens to the accompaniment of captivating music and stunning fireworks that light up the sky in a riot of colour. The 30-minute multimedia show and fireworks take everyone on a magical journey through the origins and evolution of Arab civilisation.

About Muscat

Serene and symmetrical Muscat enjoys the beauty of the pristine blue sea on one side and rugged brown mountains on the other.

While the mountains give the city a natural shield, the centuries-old castles, forts, towers, historic buildings and gates give a unique look to the city that has chosen not to build skyscrapers but instead preserve its traditional charm.

Muscat and the villages surrounding it are full of archeological monuments.

At the same time, Muscat has kept pace with modernization. The city has an excellent road network, hotels to suit every pocket and malls that have become an integral part of any city.

Keeping with the country?s rich heritage and culture, Muscat has a number of museums that are musts for tourist and its art galleries are designed to reflect Oman?s traditional architecture.

Festival facts

-  Muscat Festival is held at three venues ? Qurum Nature Park, Festival Plaza at Al Azaiba Grounds, and Seeb Beach.

-  The Heritage Village, Russian jugglers and Multi-media laser show and fireworks are held at the Qurum Nature Park.

-  Amusement rides and global village are at the Festival Plaza at Al Azaiba Grounds.

-  At the Seeb Beach site, sporting events like camel racing, motorcross and jet ski races are held

-  This year, exclusive activities for women include an International fashion show and a fashion show devoted exclusively to Omani silver jewellery.

- An exhibition on 'Islam in Sicily ? A Bridge Between Two Civilisations? will also be held at the Qurum Nature Park.