Oman Showcases Rich Cultural Diversity at Kuwait International Book Fair

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman's pavilion, serving as the Guest of Honor at the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair, is presenting a wide array of publications that reflect its cultural diversity and rich creative landscape. This offering blends heritage, knowledge, and modern literary production to highlight the depth of Omani identity and its interaction with the wider Arab cultural sphere, reinforcing the presence of the Omani book as a bridge for communication and inspiration. According to Oman News Agency, Abdulaziz Mubarak Al Rahbi, supervisor of the Omani Society for Writers and Literati's corner at the fair, stated: "This is the Society's first participation in the Kuwait Fair. Through our presence, we aim to introduce visitors to our various activities and projects." He added that the Society is displaying a diverse collection of publications across various fields, including poetry, novels, short stories, and intellectual, literary, and historical studies, alongside children's literature and theater . The Society's goal is to present the Omani writer and book and to disseminate Omani cultural output at these cultural forums. Mohammed Ali Al Maskari, Director of the Sharia Research Department at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, mentioned that the Ministry's participation coincides with both Kuwait's celebration as the Capital of Arab Culture and Media and Oman's National Day celebrations. The Ministry is participating with over one hundred titles, including Qur'anic exegeses, jurisprudential and lexical encyclopedias, and history and language books. He highlighted significant public interest in the Omani Mus'haf for its distinctive and unique calligraphy, as well as historical and lexical books. Researcher Sanad Hamad Al Maharazi from the Manuscripts Department at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth noted the Ministry's participation with various Omani manuscripts of scientific, intellectual, and historical importance. These include the oldest Omani manuscript, authored in 531 AH (1137), and the 13th-century manuscript "Ma'din al-Asrar fi 'Ilm al-Bihar," which was the first Omani manuscript registered with UNESCO in 2017. Other manuscripts include a Qur'an of the Seven Readings from the 12th century AH and works in scientific fields like astronomy and medical sciences. Zakariya Ali Al Saqri from Oman Memory Centre explained that the Centre's participation underscores Oman's cultural presence as the Guest of Honor. The Centre is presenting publications documenting Omani history and highlighting its cognitive and scientific heritage, alongside digital projects. These include the book "Names of Ship Captains in the Records of the Sharia Court in Mutrah," which serves as a reference for researchers in maritime and economic history. Thuriya Hamad Al Hattali, Head of the Cultural Development Department at the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, stated that the Ministry's pavilion offers qualitative content reflecting Oman's civilizational depth and cultural relations with Kuwait. The pavilion includes an exhibition of Omani intellectual output, a corner on Omani-Kuwaiti cultural relations, and a display of rare Omani manuscripts. Over 130 Omani titles are showcased, accompanied by a cultural program featuring 11 events with 33 Omani writers and talents. Balqees Hamoud Al Araimi from the Ministry of Information highlighted the Ministry's participation with a wide range of Omani publications that introduce the Gulf audience to Oman's cultural scene and its development. The participation serves to document the features of Omani identity and its contemporary growth. Hana Salim Al Bahrani, Head of the Heritage and Cultural Tourism Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, stated that the Ministry is promoting Oman by displaying its specialized heritage publications and distributing promotional materials. Azza Abdulaziz Al Hinai mentioned that the Ministry is participating with over fifty scientific publications, including works on old quarters, the "Journal of Omani Studies," and p ublications on Omani cuisine, crafts, and underwater archaeology.