Al Dakhiliyah Festival is an opportunity for everyone in the Sultanate of Oman and tourists visiting from other parts of the world to understand the country's cultural past and its impact on people's way of life today.
The festival starts on Thursday under the auspices of Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism. The festival's opening coincides with the official opening of the Bisya and Salut archaeological centres in the Wilayat of Bahla.
Al Dakhiliyah Festival will continue from February 23 to March 4.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has organised several activities where all the wilayats have something to showcase.
The 10-day extravaganza will have activities related to the governorate's heritage and culture, while entertainment, adventure activities and other programmes will keep the visitors engaged as per their age, taste and choice.
There are seminars and dialogue sessions that will extend for about two weeks.
Activities depicting daily life in castles, making Omani halwa, experiencing Omani barbecue, pottery-making, folklore performances, horse and camel shows, paragliding, youth initiatives exhibition, youth dialogue session, traditional and artisan markets, entertainment games for young and old, theatre for accompanying events, mountain walking and mountain bike racing, will be highlights of the festival.
Shaikh Hilal bin Said al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah, stated during his meeting with the Governor of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, government agencies and other stakeholders of the festival that the festival aims to involve small and medium enterprises, members of the local community, and introduce visitors to the cultural and historical heritage and tourist destinations in the governorate.
Haitham bin Mohammed al Ghassani, General Director of Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said, "The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has been organising tourism festivals in the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, which benefit from the comparative advantage of each governorate and its unique elements."
Nizwa Fort will witness cultural activities, plays, various competitions and juggling, and the Wilayat of Bahla will witness the opening of the Bisya and Salut Archaeological Visitor Centre, with many accompanying events.
The festival's activities also include cart tours through farms, aflaj and houses, accompanied by a tour guide, in the old neighbourhood in the Wilayat of Al Hamra, astronomy-related events and activities in Jabal Shams, paragliding shows in Manah Public Park "Matan", and various activities in Bahja Samayil Park and Izki Public Park.
There will be a mountain race in the Al Ain and Al Sawad lanes, a presentation of the traditional horse sports "Al Ardah", a peg-picking competition in the Wilayat of Adam, and a 'Camel Ardah' in the Wilayat of Bidbid.
Organising festivals in the governorates are in line with boosting the local economy within the framework of achieving the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
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