Muscat Festival a hit with hobbyists

MUSCAT, JAN 15 - Akin to areas designated for shopping or entertainment, the Muscat Festival has some areas dedicated to certain themes.
An example is the Cultural Corner at Amerat Park, one of the festival venues, in which the Omani Photographic Society is holding an exhibition on one side. The other side is dedicated to books. Hisham Mohammed al Rahbi at al Ghasham House, said, “We have about 500 books with a 50 per cent discount for all visitors to the festival.”
The photography exhibition, on the other hand, sees frames captured by members of Omani Photographic Society. A big hit with visitors, these photographs depict various facets of the Sultanate.
Food court is one of the busiest and most popular areas at the festival. While traditional food is admired by many, what is interesting is how the youth are taking up professions along with elders in the family.
Asma al Maawali, for instance, works in a leading establishment in the private sector. During Muscat Festival, she takes leave to join her mother and sisters to make one of the favourite sweets in Oman: Lokaimat. The golden crispy dough balls are topped with date syrup and families cannot have enough of it.
Would she move on to other traditional dishes? She smiles and said, “No, it would have to be Lokaimat.”
A competition is being held at the Heritage Village. So far, Wilayats of Bausher, Bidiya and Al Amerat have completed their presentation. Nineteen more Wilayats will present their crafts and art. The Wilayat that will showcase its traditions next is Muscat, followed by Barka, Al Mudhaibi and Manah.