Nadine defines culture as 'the complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, law, customs, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man and not as a member of it.'
This shows that culture is a source of creativity and energy. It isn’t limited to just fulfilling basic needs, as some people might think. It also doesn’t dismiss other perspectives, nor does it start from any narrow ideology or limited view.
Over time, culture has become institutionalised in society, and unfortunately, the interest in it has sometimes declined. The space that culture once occupied may now be filled with ideas that can be extreme or overly religious.
This shift can mean that we lose the creative energies that would otherwise contribute to the beauty and positivity in society. These energies could also be diverted to negative purposes, harming society rather than helping it.
When modern culture developed, it took a broad perspective and aimed to connect with the beauty of humanity, looking at the mind, heart, and body. These three parts — mind, heart, and body — work together and express themselves in various ways. The mind brings knowledge and scientific innovation, which stems from studying history and reality with an open outlook. This adds depth and a sense of cultural variety.
There’s also a 'culture of the heart,' which focuses on the conscience and inner feelings. This kind of culture is often found in art, beauty, and literature.
Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (died 1860) talked about how art expresses the will. He thought that architecture is the most basic form of art, as it focuses more on utility than beauty.
However, he believed that higher forms of art, like sculpture, painting, and especially poetry, express deeper meanings through imagination.
Schopenhauer held music in the highest regard, saying it connects us to the laws of existence, expressing joy, sadness, and more abstract emotions in a way other art forms cannot.
Then, there’s the culture of the body, which includes both traditional and modern sports. This physical aspect of culture, combined with the mind and heart, helps shape a person’s identity. A person’s culture also depends on where they are from — their region’s food, clothing, music, literature, and traditions all play a part in shaping who they are.
This broad view of culture provides a lot of room for creativity and freedom. Cultural institutions should support this diversity instead of limiting it. They must encourage and protect this creativity, making sure it’s not lost.
Cultural organisations have a key role to play in nurturing young, talented individuals, allowing them to express their creativity for the good of society. Instead of letting creative energies be exploited for extremist or political purposes that have nothing to do with the country’s interests, these institutions should channel them into positive and productive outlets.
Unfortunately, cultural activities are often concentrated in big cities, particularly the capital, leaving smaller towns and regions with less support. This is not a good situation in the long term. Yes, it makes sense that major cities, where many young talents live and work, have more opportunities for cultural expression.
The capital may offer freedoms and opportunities that smaller towns do not. However, focusing all cultural efforts in one place can lead to the extinction of local languages, dialects, arts, customs, and traditions. Over time, the unique aspects of regional cultures may disappear, as everything is concentrated in one area.
Oman is a country with rich cultural diversity. This diversity affects every part of a person’s being — their mind, heart, soul, and body. However, this diversity needs to be encouraged by institutions across the country, not just in the capital.
Oman’s recent renaissance has moved away from the centralisation of cultural activities in the capital. The government has aimed to spread cultural activities across the country’s governorates. This is a positive step. By giving more focus to regional cultural capitals, there can be a wider range of cultural activities throughout Oman. It’s important not to just focus on yearly festivals, though they are a healthy cultural event. Instead, there should be a continuous push for the development of strong cultural institutions that support and encourage diversity in all its forms.
There are already several cultural institutions in Oman’s governorates, including cultural and sports clubs, cultural centres, private universities, libraries, and youth initiatives. These institutions need proper support — both financially and morally — so that Oman can not only maintain its cultural presence but also foster competition and creativity. There is potential for huge progress in cultural activities if these institutions are given the resources they need.
In conclusion, culture is a vital part of human existence that shapes our identities and connects us to our history and future. Institutions must protect and promote cultural diversity, ensuring that every region has the opportunity to develop its cultural talents. This will prevent the concentration of culture in big cities and ensure the survival of local traditions, languages, and customs.
By doing so, Oman can continue to grow as a culturally rich and diverse nation.
(The original version of this article was published in the print edition of Oman Arabic newspaper on September 10)
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
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