News

Turkish Artist's 30-foot Painting in Istanbul Highlights Gaza's Suffering Istanbul, 2 Jun (ONA) --- Turkish painter Kasım Tan depicts the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to raise awareness about the attacks carried out by Israel on the enclave. Tan created a 9-meter by 3-meter (30-foot by 10-foot) painting titled "Gaza" in front of the Üsküdar Valide-i Cedid Mosque in Istanbul to support Palestinians through his work, the Turkish Daily Sabah reported. Inspired by Picasso's "Guernica," Tan expressed concern as a young artist about depicting the horror of ...

The National Museum Inaugurates Exhibition "Zeina: Splendors of the Indian Courts"Muscat, 30 May (ONA) —- The National Museum today inaugurated the exhibition "Zeina: The Splendors of the Indian Court" in collaboration with Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah in the State of Kuwait. The exhibition aims to highlight the richness of Indian Islamic civilisation and showcase its beauty.The exhibition was launched under the patronage of HH Sayyida Mayyan Shihab Al Said, Chairwoman of the Omani Society for Design in the presence of Sheikh Abdullah Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the esteemed ...

ROHM Concludes 2023/24 Season with Cairo Opera Performance Muscat, 27 May (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) concluded its 2023/24 season with a captivating performance of Scheherazade by the Cairo Opera, directed by Walid Aouni. Audiences filled the Royal Opera House of Musical Arts to experience the world of 1001 Nights through a dazzling dance performance by the Cairo Opera's Modern Dance. Under the visionary direction of Walid Aouni, Artistic Director, Director, and Designer of the Egyptian Modern Dance, the performance spellbound audiences with its ...

Australian Scientists Discover Ancient Echidnapus Canberra, 27 May (ONA) --- Scientists have discovered a bizarre creature dubbed the "echidnapus" which they believe roamed Australia in prehistoric times. Fossilised pieces of the animal's jaw bone were found in opal fields in northern New South Wales, alongside evidence of several other ancient and now extinct monotreme species. Officially named Opalios splendens, the new species has been nicknamed for its resemblance to the platypus and echidna - which are the only egg-laying mammals in the world today, BBC ...

Hairy Rhinoceros Skeletons Link French, Chinese MuseumsBeijing, 20 May (ONA) --- A complete hairy rhinoceros skeleton has been on display for a century at France's National Museum of Natural History, while a similar specimen found in the same Chinese location is showcased at Beijiang Museum in Tianjin, China. Beijiang Museum is a century-old hidden treasure nestled in the heart of the Wudadao historical urban area, a popular tourist destination in the downtown area of Tianjin.The museum houses over 400,000 fossils and specimens of animals, plants, rocks, minerals and ancient humans. Its ...

National Museum Displays Distinctive Collections on Loan from Louvre Abu Dhabi Muscat, 20 May (ONA) --- The National Museum is showcasing two distinctive objects on loan from the Louvre Abu Dhabi for one year, the objects are a “Bowl with a two-colour Inscription” adorned with the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and an iconic “Homage to the Square” reflecting contemporary abstract art. This comes within the framework of the cultural collaboration between the National Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Showcasing the objects offers visitors an insightful exploration into ...

ROHM Concludes A Week of Stunning Performances Muscat, 19 May (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) has just concluded a week of stunning performances, welcoming the world's leading opera stars on its stage. As the curtain starts to fall on the 2023/24 season, ROHM treated audiences to unforgettable season highlights, including the mesmerizing Homage to Maria Callas on 15 May 2024 and the captivating production of La Bohème in co-production with Monte Carlo Opera on 16 and 18 May 2024. In a truly iconic tribute to the legendary soprano Maria Callas, the Homage to ...

Chinese Comedy "The Last Frenzy" Tops Chinese Mainland Box Office Chart Beijing, 19 May (ONA) --- The Chinese comedy "The Last Frenzy" claimed the top spot on the daily box office chart in the Chinese mainland, data from the China Movie Data Information Network showed. The film, exploring life's choices in the face of death, raked in 20.11 million yuan (about 2.83 million U.S. dollars) on the 18th day of its release. It was followed by domestic crime thriller "Hovering Blade" with 18.55 million yuan of daily box office sales. Hong Kong action crime thriller ...

New Museum on Qin, Han Dynasties Opens in China's Shaanxi Shaanxi, 19 May (ONA) --- A new museum that focuses on ancient Chinese civilization in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC) and Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220) officially opened to the public in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The Qin Han Museum of the Shaanxi History Museum, a subsidiary of Shaanxi History Museum, is the first museum in China that provides visitors with a panoramic view of the origin, development and contributions of Qin and Han civilizations, Xinhua news agency reported. Since its trial run began in late ...

Monet Painting Fetches $35 Million At New York AuctionNew York, 16 May (ONA)--- A Monet sold for nearly $35 million at auction, Sotheby’s said, marking a solid start to New York’s spring art sales.Both Sotheby’s and rival auction house Christie’s launched their spring season. Though the global art market softened last year, strong sales in London and Paris have sparked optimism for 2024.Claude Monet’s “Meules a Giverny,” which the French impressionist painted in 1893, went for $34.8 million after a bidding war.Christie’s, meanwhile, sold some $115 million in contemporary ...

Oman Participates as Guest of Honour in Doha International Book FairDoha, 9 May (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman is participating as guest of honour in the 33rd edition of Doha International Book Fair, which opened today under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the State of Qatar. The event, which runs until 18 May, was attended by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth. At the book fair, themed “Knowledge builds civilizations”, Oman participates with a ...

Oman Participates as Guest of Honour at Doha International Book FairMuscat, 7 May (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman will be the guest of honour at the 33rd edition of Doha International Book Fair due to be held from 9 to 18 May 2024.Oman will be represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Sultan Qaboos University, civil society institutions (including the “Omani Society for Writers and Literati” and “Memory of Oman National Cultural ...

Lord of the Rings, Titanic Actor Bernard Hill Dies Aged 79 London, 5 May (ONA) --- Actor Bernard Hill, best known for roles in Titanic and Lord of the Rings, has died aged 79, BBC news reported. He played Captain Edward Smith in the 1997 Oscar-winning film and King Théoden in the Lord of the Rings. His breakout role was in BBC TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff, where he portrayed Yosser Hughes, a character who struggled - and often failed - to cope with unemployment in Liverpool. Hill was also much loved for his performances in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy ...

National Museum Inaugurates “Anis al-Hujjaj” Manuscript on Loan from India Muscat, 1 May (ONA) --- The National Museum today inaugurated the manuscript 'Anis al-Hujjaj'. On loan from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai, India, this manuscript serves as an illustrated guide to pilgrimage to Mecca and related rituals. The manuscript was written by Safi bin Vali Qazvin after his pilgrimage journey in 1676 CE to Mecca. The manuscript will be displayed for four months in the ‘Oman and the World Gallery’ at the National Museum. "Anis al-Hajj" or ...

Documentary “House of Wonders” Screened in Governorates across Oman Muscat, 24 Apr (ONA) --- The documentary titled “House of Wonders”, which embodies the Omani presence in Zanzibar and East Africa, was screened in cinema halls in the governorates of Muscat, Dhofar and A’Dakhiliyah. Screening the documentary targets school students from grades 10-12. The documentary aims at informing school students about the important aspects of Omani history and the cultural roles of the Omanis in East Africa. The documentary, produced by the Ministry of Information, ...

Oman Wins Awards at Sitfy Monodrama Festival in Poland Warsaw, 24 Apr (ONA) --- Represented by Mazoon Theatre, the Sultanate of Oman has won several awards at the Sitfy Monodrama Festival, held in the Republic of Poland.The contest saw the participation of competitors from 12 countries around the world. Director Yousef Al Balushi won the Best Scenography Award, while actor Ahmed Al Oweini won the Best Actor Award.--- Ends/Bishara/KH ...

Symposium Explores Practices on Arabic Language Learning, Teaching Muscat, 22 Apr (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Education, the Sultanate of Oman is hosting the 4th edition of the Arabic Language Symposium, in the presence of local and international experts and specialists. The three-day event explores modern techniques in teaching and learning Arabic language. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Habib Mohammed Al Riyami, Chairman of the Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science. The symposium showcases local and international practical ...

Saudi Heritage Commission Unveils New Discovery in Umm Jirsan Cave Riyadh, 18 Apr (ONA) --- The Saudi Heritage Commission announced the discovery of new evidence of human settlement in Umm Jirsan cave "Harrat Khaybar", located in Madinah Region. The research was conducted by the Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture with the participation of some archaeologists of the commission and in collaboration with King Saud University, the Max Planck Institute, and the Saudi Geological Survey. The discoveries provided evidence of human settlement within the cave, which ...

Oman Joins International Community in Celebrating World Heritage Day Muscat, 17 Apr (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Sultanate of Oman is taking part in celebration marking World Heritage Day, which falls on 18 April every year, under the slogan “Discover and Experience Diversity”. This year, the event coincides with the launch of a programme of Sur as the Arab Tourism Capital 2024—a programme that highlights the City of Sur’s historical monuments, archaeological sites and community culture in the Wilayat of Sur. Those features serve as ...

Oman’s Pavilion at Venice International Art Biennale 2024 to Open this Friday Muscat, 16 Apr (ONA) --- On Friday the 19th of April 2024, the Sultanate of Oman will participate with a pavilion in Venice International Art Biennale 2024 (the 60th edition of the art event)—, titled “Foreigners Everywhere.” The exhibition’s activities will continue until 24 November 2024. The opening of ceremony Oman's pavilion will be held under the auspices of HH Sayyid Dr. Kamil bin Fahd Al Said, Secretary-General at the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers. Since its ...

Researchers Discover Three New Extinct Kangaroo Species Canberra, 15 Apr (ONA)--- Researchers from Flinders University have unveiled the discovery of three new extinct kangaroo species that roamed Australia between 5 million and 40,000 years ago. Belonging to the extinct genus Protemnodon, these creatures were described as resembling modern grey kangaroos but were more robust. Among the recently discovered species is Protemnodon viator, tipping the scales at 170 kilograms, doubling the dimensions of the present-day red kangaroo. Conversely, Protemnodon ...

Regional Premiere of La Bohème Movie at ROHM Kicks off Puccini Celebration Muscat, 14 Apr (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) will host the regional premiere of the award-winning film La Bohème, directed by esteemed Italian filmmaker Mario Martone, on 23 April 2024. The event has already sparked significant interest in Oman as it sold-out in less than a week since its announcement on the ROHM website. This screening will mark the beginning of three weeks of activities leading up to the highly anticipated co-production of Puccini's timeless opera La Bohème, ...

Faith Ringgold, Pioneering Quilt Artist, Author, Dies at 93 New York, 14 Apr (ONA) --- Faith Ringgold, an award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling, has died, aged 93. Ringgold’s highly personal works of art can be found in private and public collections around the US and beyond, from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American Art to New York’s Museum of Modern Art and Atlanta’s High Museum of Fine Art. But her rise to ...

Morocco Hosts First Exhibitions of Cuban Art Rabat, 3 Apr (ONA) --- When Morocco ‘s King Mohamed VI visited Havana in 2017, Cuban-American gallery owner Alberto Magnan impressed him with a “full immersion” in the Caribbean island’s art and culture, drawing a line between the cultural and historical themes tackled by Cuban artists and those from across Africa. Seven years after that encounter, one of the first exhibitions of Cuban art at an African museum is showing at Morocco’s Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. It’s part of an effort to ...

Eleventh Edition of Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts OutlinedMuscat, 31 Mar (ONA) --- A press conference was held in Muscat today to announce the domains set for the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Arts and Literature.During the press conference, Habib Mohammed Al Riyami, Chairman of Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science, said that the award was aimed at celebrating honouring intellectuals, artists and writers who renew thought, elevate human values and emphasize Oman’s contribution to human civilization. He added that, this year the award is allocated to Omani ...

Bait AlGhasham DarArab Translation Prize Announces Opening of Submissions for 2nd Round Muscat, 27 Mar (ONA) --- The Bait AlGhasham DarArab Translation Prize announced the opening of submissions for the second round 2024/2025. This notable cultural initiative is dedicated to celebrating and promoting exceptional Arabic literature, featuring two prominent categories: the Translators’ Prize and the Authors’ Prize. Submissions will be accepted till 31 July 2024. Authors and translators are invited to submit their unpublished literary works and translations via ...

ROHM Welcomes Renowned Syrian Ensemble for its Ramadan Concert Series Muscat, 26 Mar (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) continued its Ramadan concert series with a divine concert from the renowned Syrian ensemble, the Malawiyyin and Levantine Religious Chants Group, in tandem with Khalid Al Araimi, an Omani chanter of great note. The Ramadan series, which started on 18 March and will run until 1 April, is designed to offer respectful evenings of sacred prayer that inspire devotion. Over 300 people joined last night’s concert, experiencing firsthand ...

Ancient Roman Defensive Wall DiscoveredBerlin, 25 Mar (ONA) --- An exciting archaeological discovery was made during construction work in Aachen’s city center, Germany. At the corner of Pontstrasse and Marktplatz, archaeologists found an ancient Roman defensive wall from the 3rd century.As part of a construction project, archaeologists were excavating a street close to the historic city center when they discovered a wall that had collapsed, according to city officials. The wall was immediately recognized as an ancient Roman construction.The uncovered wall segment, measuring 23 ...

Archaeologists Recover Aztec Codices of San Andrés TetepilcoMexico City, 25 Mar (ONA) --- Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have announced the recovery of the Codices of San Andrés Tetepilco.The three codices date from the late 16th to early 17th century and are believed to be a continuation of the Boturini Codex.The codices depicts a transition from pre-Hispanic Mexica to the arrival of the Spanish, the latter represented with the image of Hernán Cortés who appears dressed like a Roman centurion. Another scene corresponds to the reign ...

National Museum Organizes Lecture on Maritime Heritage Between Oman, Yemen, MoroccoMuscat, 19 Mar (ONA) ---The National Museumtodayorganised a lecture titled "Maritime Heritage between the Sultanate of Oman, Yemen, and Morocco: Similarities and Differences".The lecture waspresented by Dr. Yahya Latif AbdullahAlAbali, an academic researcher at the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage in the Kingdom of Morocco and Assistant Professor of Cultural Heritage at Hajjah University in the Republic of Yemen.The lecture addressedthemaritime heritage between the Sultanate of Oman, ...