Muscat Festival - 2012 Showcasing Local Culture and Heritage

By Arun Rodrigues
Bellevision Media Network

Muscat, 23 Febraury 2012: The 2012 edition of Muscat Festival (January 26-February 23), the Sultanate’s key cultural and tourism showpiece, has drawn huge visitor turnouts in the very first few days.

The festival is organized by Muscat Municipality which started on 26th jan 2012 till 23rd february but seeing the overwelming respoense it has been descided and  extended till 1st march 2012.

The two main festival grounds located at Qurum Natural Park and Naseem Park, where a majority of the events are being held, witnessed huge turnout of national, regional and international visitors in the initial days of the 29-day long festival.
The festival grounds open between 4 pm and 11 pm, including weekends, with an entry fee of 200 baizas for adults and 100 baizas for children.

 

 

 

Some of the key events of the festival include Tour of Oman cycle race, Oman Food Festival, Muscat Fashion Week, the Traditional Boat Racing, Omani and Arabic plays, lectures, concerts, carnival displays, and amusement parks.
The ‘Omani heritage and cultural village’ at the Qurum Natural Park and a ‘Family village’ at Naseem Park are some of the biggest draws at the festival, giving visitors an opportunity to learn from the gifted Omani artisans. It is a complete entertainment spot with children’s shows and plays.

 

 

The international festival for arts, heritage and creativity at the Qurum Natural Park has displays from over 25 countries.
At Naseem Park, around 500 shops from some 30 countries are an eye-opener on the manufacturing prowess of participating countries.

The Omani Heritage and Culture Village, showcasing the country’s agriculture, Bedouin and coastal life, traditional crafts and Omani food, is a big hit.

Similarly, Omani folklore, traditional dance and songs, are a big hit at the Muscat Festival 2012 . The festival atmosphere is enlivened to a great extent by the participating folklore troupes, brass bands and musicians from various parts of the Sultanate.