SALALAH: Khareef Dhofar season 2024 will be celebrated at various sites in the governorate, including the wilayats of Thamrait, Taqah, Mirbat and Sadah, with a focus on diverse cultural, commercial and entertainment activities. Specialised international exhibitions will also be held at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah.
According to Ammar bin Obaid Ghawas, Director of Events and Awareness Department at Dhofar Municipality, youngsters will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of new and diverse events across sports, recreation and entertainment.
Itin Square will host a range of brand-new games that are different from previous years, in addition to a theatre equipped with the latest technologies that will showcase numerous international performances. Visitors will also enjoy dazzling lighting shows, laser fountain shows and drone shows, which are the largest this year in terms of number and duration.
Sports activities will be varied to suit varied interests. For the first time, Salalah Public Park will host an endurance sports event, which will take place weekly. In addition, several sports pitches will be allocated for sports events during the khareef season. The Salalah International Cycling Tour will return in a more distinguished format after being officially registered and approved by the International Cycling Federation to include four stages with the participation of more than 100 cyclists from different countries.
Fans of motorsports from all age groups will be treated to the Oman Automobile Association's events, characterised by speed and competition. These events will be held at the 'Celebrations Square.' The Dhofar International Drag Race championship will also witness wide participation from the GCC countries at Al Damar Beach in the Wilayat of Mirbat. The traditional weapons shooting competition will be the largest this year in terms of prize value and the number of local and Gulf participants.
Among the most important events is 'Kiddy Time' in Uqad Public Park, designed to amaze children. International animated shows and beloved children's characters will also be part of it. Spaces have also been allocated in Salalah Public Park for weekly sports events dedicated to children of different age groups.
Entertainment options will be complete with the Uptown Entertainment City, featuring many electric and air games that suit different age groups.
Complementing the site is a modern and fully serviced recreational outlet with an aesthetic design that provides walkways and green spaces.
The 'Return to the Past Village' will contain many events and activities that simulate the different environments of Dhofar including urban, rural, Bedouin, marine and agricultural. It will also present a new cultural and heritage experience by hosting Omani wilayats from outside the governorate for the first time, namely Suhar, Nizwa and Sur. The experience will be expanded in future seasons to include other wilayats from all over the country.
The village will reflect Oman’s rich cultural and civilisational heritage through an arts and events square and various traditional markets with live performances and arts that embody Omani culture.
There will also be many cultural events in the various wilayats which aim to highlight the national identity and attract tourists and introduce them to the unique Omani culture through specialised exhibitions, conferences, awareness workshops and theatrical performances.
Dhofar Governorate will witness for the first time the staging of the Dhofar International Theatre Festival with the participation of theatrical teams from inside and outside Oman. It will include six streams for different types of theatre namely adults, children, public theatre, monodrama and street theatre. Each stream is like a miniature festival in terms of the number of participants, guests and jury committees.
The festival will also host a group of elite artistes from around the world in its endeavour to be the first Arab and among the top international in terms of organisation, attracting the strongest international performances and the range of high-value prizes on offer.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
