Muscat Festival

Muscat Festival, is a diverse and fascinating city. Situated upon the sea, it provides a tranquil setting for its inhabitants and tourists. A range of mountains forms a protective barrier around the bottom half of the city. These mountains were used in centuries past as a successful fortress to guard the city from marauding invaders. Because of its ideal position on the ocean, Muscat has, for many centuries, been a significant sea port for traders and other forms of businesses. Today, Muscat is a thriving city which offers a strong, diverse economic and social climate for its many inhabitants.The Muscat Festival is one of several traditional, annual events that the residents of Muscat look forward too. Established in 1998, the Festival draws a large number of tourists to Muscat each year. The primary aim of the festival is to celebrate the cultural heritage of Oman. However, it does allow other nations, cultures, and individuals to promote awareness about themselves.

 There are four main divisions to the Muscat festival; sports and entertainment, child and family friendly programs, traditional and international arts, and traditional folk art and traditional handicrafts of Oman.Many Omanis share a fierce pride and respect concerning their history and heritage. One result from this regard is the desire to link their past to their present and to reinforce their cultural identity as a country. The aim of the Muscat Festival is to embody these desires in a manner that is respectful and educational for its attendees. For example, one of the most popular attractions of the Muscat Festival is an indigenous village located in the Qurum National Park. Here, the residents of the village educate festival goers on the various aspects of the traditional Omani lifestyle. Attendees are also able to partake of traditional folk arts and crafts. A visitor can also listen to the singing of traditional Omani folk songs, accompanied by drums.

Although the primary focus of the Muscat Festival is upon the cultural heritage of Omani citizens, it is also quite welcoming of other foreign countries who wish to enlighten others about their culture. This can be a unique experience for Festival attendees to learn about cultures other than their own. Within the Festival, there are intellectual and literature conferences. Many prominent Omani and Arab writers and artists are featured at these conferences to promote debate and discussion about social, economic, and environmental issues. There are also pottery lessons, prose lessons, artistic exhibits, and educational workshops for adults.However, children are not excluded from the Muscat Festival by any means. The Festival strives to maintain a family friendly environment for all of its participants. There are games, theater shows, athletic competitions, and other forms of entertainment for children to enjoy. There are also workshops for parents to attend on how to deal with the various issues that come with raising children. The Muscat Festival is an ideal environment for children and families to experience a taste of the world beyond the four walls of their home.