| Lyna Mohamad |
THE Sultanate of Oman will showcase traditional Omani outfits and jewellery as well as several titles of multi-language literary, intellectual, artistic, scientific and historic works at the Brunei Book Fair 2019 starting tomorrow.
The Omani delegation will be led by Undersecretary of Oman’s Ministry of Information Ali bin Khalfan Al-Jabri.
Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Brunei Darussalam Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel bin Rashed bin Hashel Al-Maskari noted that Oman is privileged to be the first country ever to be invited as country of honour at the Brunei Book Fair since it was inaugurated almost two decades ago.
“This speaks volumes for the relationship between (Brunei and Oman),” he said. “Cultural cooperation is one of the strong dimensions of our bilateral relationship. Oman has participated on a regular basis in Brunei international book fairs. Brunei also took part in the Muscat book fairs in the past few years.”
Oman’s participation in this year’s edition of the event is aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations between the “two brotherly countries in the field of culture, introducing various Omani publications and highlighting the cultural, historic and literary heritage of the Sultanate’s blessed renaissance achievements in various fields”, the ambassador added.
Several Omani cultural performances are scheduled to take place during the fair’s opening ceremony and throughout its duration, such as the Oud Musical Performance which will be performed by selected members from the Omani Oud Hobbyist Association, which was officially founded on royal orders of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sultan of the Sultanate of Oman in 2008.
The oud is one of the most ancient musical instruments in Oman, and still plays a central role in Omani music today.
A workshop on oud music meanwhile will be hosted on February 28 from 2.30-4.30pm at the studio room of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Visitors to the book fair will also get the chance to taste freshly-made halwa (Arabic for “sweet”) – an Omani delicacy – prepared by professional chefs from a famous halwa making factory in Oman, courtesy of the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Brunei Darussalam.
Live cooking demonstrations for the sweet treat will be held as well during the opening ceremony and on selected days throughout the length of the fair.
Another activity showcasing Omani culture to feature at the event is henna painting. The activity aims to highlight the authentic Arab heritage and the charming beauty that Arab women are known for since ancient times.
In Oman, henna paintings are a local cultural practice usually reserved for special occasions and festivals such as weddings and Eid celebrations.
Visitors to the Oman booth can experience having henna designs drawn on them by professionals or attend the henna painting workshop to be held on Thursday, February 28 from 2.30-4.30pm at Green Room 1 & 2 of the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.
An Arabic calligraphy workshop will also be held at the same venue from 9-11am on the same day.