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Beijing Book Fair Attracts Visitors with Advanced Printing Technology Beijing, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The 2026 Beijing Book Fair opened today, offering a series of activities to showcase modern digital publishing techniques. At one interactive display, visitors can have the edges of their books adorned with intricate designs using advanced printing techniques – a magical touch offered free of charge. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital publishing have taken center stage at the fair, with new technologies like intelligent editing systems showcasing the industry's ...

Vast 14th-Century Turkish Cemetery Unearthed on Gallipoli Peninsula Istanbul, 8 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- Archaeologists have uncovered a vast historic cemetery on the Gallipoli Peninsula, a discovery experts describe as a major milestone shedding new light on the earliest Turkish presence in southeastern Europe. The site is believed to date back to the 14th century. The find was made by the Gallipoli Historical Site Directorate during restoration and survey work at the Küçükanafarta Historic Turkish Cemetery in Çanakkale’s Eceabat district. Researchers have identified a ...

Five National Publications Document Omani Trade, Industry Figures Before 1970 Muscat, 7 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth recently unveiled five key publications of a comprehensive national project titled “Omani Personalities Engaged in Trade and Industry Before 1970”. The project falls in five parts that cover the governorates of Muscat, Musandam, Dhofar and Al Dakhiliyah (Part One and Part Two). It was undertaken in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and Oman National Commission for Education, ...

NRAA Signs MoU with Qatar National Library Doha, 6 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) and the Qatar National Library (QNL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to strengthen institutional cooperation in the fields of documentation, archives, scientific research, and other areas of mutual interest. The agreement aims to support the archival and library sectors while preserving documentary heritage. The MoU was signed on behalf of the Omani side by Dr. Hamad Mohammed Al Dhawyani, Chairman of the NRAA, and on behalf of the Qatari side ...

Trenčín, Oulu Selected as European Capitals of Culture for 2026 Brussels, 1 Jan 2026 (ONA) --- The cities of Trenčín in Slovakia and Oulu in Finland have been officially designated as the European Capitals of Culture for the year 2026. Each year, the European Union selects specific cities for this title as part of a strategic initiative to highlight the vast cultural diversity within Europe. The program is designed to celebrate the distinct arts, history, and traditions of each region. Trenčín and Oulu succeed the 2025 titleholders, which included Chemnitz in the ...

Oman, Belgium Ink Agreement to Organize “Wonders of the World” Exhibition Muscat, 31 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The National Museum signed today an agreement to stage an exhibition titled “Wonders of the World: From Maps to Artistic Masterpieces”, in collaboration with the Phoebus Foundation of Belgium. This initiative aims to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of art, culture, and shared artistic heritage. The agreement was signed on behalf of The National Museum by Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National ...

ROHM January 2026 Program Includes Dazzling Performances, Events Muscat, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) announced that January 2026 opens with a rich and varied programme, inviting audiences to begin the new year with performances and events that celebrate artistic excellence, cultural exchange and shared experiences for all ages. The month begins with Cinderella on Ice at ROHM on Thursday 1 January and Friday 2 January at 7:00pm, and Saturday 3 January at 4:00pm. This family friendly production reimagines the classic fairytale through expressive ice ...

Heritage Ministry Implements "Dolphins in Prehistoric Oman" Project Muscat, 30 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism is implementing a project titled "Dolphins in Prehistoric Oman (DExPO)," aimed at enhancing the understanding of the relationship between humans and the marine environment in the Sultanate of Oman during prehistoric times. This is achieved through the systematic study and documentation of faunal remains discovered at various archaeological sites. The project is a specialized research initiative in zooarchaeology, focusing on the study of ...

Book Titled "The Sultanate of Oman: The Rainbow of Tourism" Published in Iran Tehran, 29 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- A book titled "The Sultanate of Oman: The Rainbow of Tourism" has been published by Nazri Publishing House in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Authored by the Iranian writer and journalist Reza Noor Mohammadi, the book introduces the Sultanate of Oman as one of the prominent tourists and cultural destinations in the region. The 208-page book, written in Persian, targets the Iranian reader and Persian speakers, presenting a comprehensive, multi-dimensional image of the ...

Scientific Publication Documents Civilizational Presence of South A’Sharqiyah Muscat, 29 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) has released two new volumes of the book titled "South A’Sharqiyah in the Memory of Omani History." These volumes are part of the Authority's historical and civilizational series dedicated to Omani governorates and cities, reflecting its ongoing efforts to document national history, highlight the civilizational contributions of Omani governorates, and support specialized scientific research and academic ...

Archaeologists in Pakistan Discover Ancient Civilization Dating Back to Sixth Century BCIslamabad, 28 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Archaeologists in Pakistan stumbled on the remains of a well-organized ancient civilization dating back to the sixth century BC. This groundbreaking discovery was made during their excavation operations at the Bhir Mound site near the ancient city of Taxila. According to scientists, the excavation uncovered vintages of early urban planning, including narrow streets, residential buildings, wells, grain storage facilities, and tools used in daily life. They noted that the ...

Embassy of Oman in Cairo Marks World Arabic Language Day Cairo, 22 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Cairo organized a celebration on the occasion of World Arabic Language Day, under the patronage of Abdullah Nasser Al Rahbi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Arab Republic of Egypt and its Permanent Representative to the Arab League. The ceremony, held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, was organized in partnership and cooperation with the Museum and the Friends of the Civilization Museum Association. Organizing the event at ...

National Museum Signs Two Cooperation Agreements with Cultural Institutions in Belarus Minsk, 21 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The National Museum signed two strategic cooperation agreements with the National Art Museum and the National Library of the Republic of Belarus, in the Belarusian capital, Minsk. The signing coincided with the inauguration of the "Oman Day" events and the opening of the exhibition titled "The Splendor of Silver: Treasures from the Omani Court". The first agreement, signed with the Belarusian National Art Museum, aims to host a specialized Belarusian art ...

Andalusian Cultural Studies Association Launched in JordanAmman, 21 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Andalusian Cultural Studies Association was launched in Amman, Jordan. The launch was marked by a ceremony held at the National Library of Jordan. This association will open wide avenues for readings and studies of the history of Al Andalus and its arts, architecture, and literature, underscoring the deep interest of many Spanish academics and researchers in re‑examining Arab heritage as an essential component of Spanish history and culture.Al Andalus positioned itself as a beacon of civilizational ...

At HM's Behest, Endowments Minister Presides Over Ceremony to Confer Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts, Literature Muscat, 17 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- At the behest of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Maamari, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, today presided over a ceremony to hand over the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature 2025 (12th edition) at Al Wahat Club in the Governorate of Muscat. The top three winners of this year’s award were: Asilah Forum Foundation (among private cultural institutions), Essam Mohamed ...

RGO Band Participates in Doha International Music and Marching Festival 2025 Doha, 17 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) band presented a dazzling musical show last night (16 Dec 2025) as part of its participation in the opening of the first edition of Doha International Music and Marching Festival 2025. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Sheikh Khalifa Hamad Al Thani, Minister of Interior of Qatar, and attended by Sayyid Ammar bin Abdullah Al Busaidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Qatar. The RGO’s ...

Oman Registers 'Bisht' on UNESCO's Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage New Delhi, 9 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, along with Arab countries under the leadership of the State of Qatar, succeeded today in inscribing the 'Bisht': Skills and Practices, as a shared Arab element on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Bisht is a symbol of elegance, prestige, and social status in Arab societies. It is worn on official, national, and social occasions ...

Omani Designer Weaves Heritage, Modernity into Jewelry Artistry Nizwa, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Omani designer Afrah Al Ishaqi is illuminating the realm of jewelry design, fusing traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation. Her creations draw inspiration from Omani landscapes, the nation’s rich heritage, Islamic art and timeless human narratives. In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Afrah bint Nasser Al Ishaqi, a professor at the University of Nizwa and a jewelry designer, remarked: "My work integrates diverse cultures and artistic traditions by studying ...

New Publication Chronicles Profound Depth of Oman-Russia Ties in Nineteenth Century Muscat, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) has released a landmark historical work, "Oman-Russia Relations in the Nineteenth Century AD – A Documentary Study Based on Russian Archives." This publication forms part of the Authority's strategic mission to enhance Omani and Arab scholarly resources with rigorously documented historical sources and to foster academic research into the Sultanate of Oman's rich diplomatic history. This comprehensive volume ...

ROHM Unveils December 2025 Season of Ballet, Orchestral Concerts, Family Festivities Muscat, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) unveiled a collection of artistic and cultural performances and events it has prepared for the current month of December as part of its ongoing season (2025-2026). Offering the audience a blend of ballet, orchestral music, and celebratory programs, these include: the ballet performance (Coppélia), an Omani Night featuring the melodies of Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the acrobatic spectacle (Symphony of Lights), and a ...

Growing Turkish Interest in Translating Arabic Poetry: An Ascendant Cultural Phenomenon Ankara, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) ---Türkiye has witnessed a notable surge in interest in Arabic poetry and its translation into Turkish over the past two decades, driven by cultural, historical and literary motivations. Arabic literature was a fundamental cultural source for poets in Anatolia during the Ottoman era, particularly within religious and Sufi domains. Many eminent Turkish poets such as Yunus Emre and the Mevlevis were influenced by Arabic literature and the Arabic language. ...

Oman Participates in "Heritage Opportunities" Conference in Qatar Doha, 8 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman participated in the proceedings of the "Heritage Opportunities" conference in its second edition, hosted by the Qatari capital, Doha. The conference was organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha, in cooperation with the UNESCO Chair on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Management in the Arab Region at the German University of Technology in Muscat. During the conference, Eng. Ibrahim Said Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of ...

Oman Film Society Participates in IFFA Festival in Australia Canberra, 7 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Oman Film Society participated in the International Film Festival of Australia (IFFA) . The aim is to deepen cinematic cooperation ties with international festivals, particularly IFFA, and to open new horizons for Omani films to participate on global platforms and in cinematic forums with wide influence. Through its presence at this festival, Oman Film Society sought to open channels for future cooperation in the field of co-production, in addition to exploring opportunities for training, ...

The National Museum Inaugurates Exhibition “Russia and the Middle East” Muscat, 3 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation, the National Museum today inaugurated the exhibition “Russia and the Middle East: International Relations and Cultural Influences” from the Moscow Kremlin Museums collection. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of HH Sayyedah Dr. Mona bint Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos ...

Great Wall Excavation Yields Key Archaeological Discoveries in Beijing Beijing, 2 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- Archaeologists in Beijing announced important discoveries in the recent excavation of the Jiankou section of the Great Wall, where a large cannon has been unearthed. The excavation focused on three beacon towers and their connecting walls, revealing numerous artifacts this year, including weapons, architectural parts, and objects of daily use, according to Shang Heng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Institute of Archaeology, at a press conference on the latest ...

Archaeological Expeditions Season 2025-2026 Kicks Off Muscat, 1 Dec 2025 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has announced the launch of Archaeological Expeditions Season 2025-2026. The programme forms part of Ministry’s efforts to protect the Omani heritage, document Oman’s centuries-old historical evidence and enhance the country's position as a leading regional research centre in the field of archaeological studies. This year’s season includes the implementation of surveys and exploration projects, lab-based analytical studies, ...

National Museum Inaugurates “On the Frankincense Trail: Armenia Exhibition” Muscat, 30 Nov 2025 (ONA) --- The National Museum, in cooperation with the History Museum of Armenia and the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in the Sultanate of Oman, inaugurated today an exhibition titled “On the Frankincense Trail: Armenia”. The opening took place under the auspices of Abdullah Hamad Al Riyami, Head of the Cultural Cooperation Department at the Foreign Ministry, in the presence of a number of ambassadors and those interested in cultural and museum ...

“Oman Odyssey” Book Launched London, 25 Nov 2025 (ONA) ---- On the occasion of the glorious National Day, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth announced the launch of the anticipated book – Oman Odyssey by the acclaimed publishing house Assouline as part of their travel series. This vibrant new title was officially debuted on 24 November 2025 at Maison Assouline in London, honoring Oman’s rich heritage and culture in a private event held by the Ministry of Culture Sports and Youth, and the Ministry ...

Omani-Bahraini Photographic Art Exhibition Opens in Muscat Muscat, 25 Nov 2025 (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth today opened a two-day Omani-Bahraini Photographic Art Exhibition. The ceremony was held under the auspices of Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture. The exhibition showcased the works of four Omani photographers and four Bahraini counterparts. The Sultanate of Oman was represented by Ghania Salim Al Majrafi, Musa Salim Al Hajri, Aiman Qasim Al Balushi and Majid ...

RGO Concludes 2025 Cultural Competition Muscat, 25 Nov 2025 (ONA) --- The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) today concluded its 2025 Cultural Competition, under the auspices of Civilian Officer Said Hamad Al Malki, Director General of Finance at the RGO. The ceremony, held at the RGO Command headquarters, began with a visual presentation on the course of the cultural competition's activities. The competition is held as part of the continuous attention the RGO attributes to cultural, literary, and artistic aspects, and its commitment to enhancing knowledge, honing and developing the ...