The Maritime Heritage Festival in Sur has evoked good response from the visitors. The festival has many interesting features that highlights marine culture, local art and heritage of the Sultanate of Oman.
The Maritime Heritage Festival opened on February 3 under the auspices of Dr Yahya bin Badr al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah. It will continue till February 19.
The festival has several events related to heritage and general entertainment organised by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in cooperation with the Office of the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah and a number of entities in order to raise awareness about the heritage of the Wilayat of Sur.
It has a heritage village, sea voyage simulation and accompanying activities including skateboarding and paragliding, in addition to popular games and sports competitions.
“This festival reflects the great diversity that characterises South Al Sharqiyah Governorate in general and Sur city in particular in addition to the maritime history and the harmony it represents in the relationship between the sea and man,” Dr Yahya al Maawali said.
“Over the course of the 14 days of the festival, we will find a variety of activities of a marine nature, and it is expected that the festival will witness a great turnout, which would stimulate the economic and commercial movement.”
A historical journey experienced by visitors to the festival between the sails of Omani ships, folklore songs of sailors, and traditional crafts handed down through generations. The festival aims to highlight the historical role of the city, past and present, as a commercial and historical centre. Also, as a site of memory and technical knowledge of the ship industry over centuries, in addition to promoting and introducing the maritime heritage and tourism potentials in the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah and stimulating the tourism movement of the governorate.
Haitham bin Muhammad al Ghassani, General Director of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, confirmed that the festival is part of the strategic programmes to enhance cultural heritage as an added value, and one of the tourism possibilities for the advancement of this vital and reliable sector in opening outlets and economic benefits.
Among the activities included traditional sea voyage that embodies the historical journey of Omani ships to and from the Omani ports, in which the mechanism of transporting and loading goods in the past is simulated along with traditional arts. Even the ancient routes of ships and goods are explained.
Another attraction is the Omani Food Carnival, which allows visitors to explore Omani and international dishes. One can enjoy fresh seafood from local sources that reflect the richness of marine wealth. It also helps small and medium enterprises and productive families to improve their income.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism seeks to hold many festivals in other wilayats to attract more tourists, create community mobility, and raise the rates of hotel occupancy.
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