News

Oman to Host 35th Conference of Arab Federation for Libraries Muscat, 6 Nov (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and, in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Sultanate of Oman will host the 35th conference of Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI) from 12 to 14 November 2024. An elite group of Omani specialists and Arab experts will take part in the conference, titled “Role of Arab libraries and archive institutions in promoting citizenship and digital identity”. The conference offers an opportunity to highlight ...

Winners of “International Black and White Photography Biennale” Feted Jaipur, 4 Nov (ONA) --- A ceremony was held in the Indian city of Jaipur today to honour countries that emerged winners in the “36th International Black and White Photography Biennale”, organized every two years by the International Federation of Photographic Art--or Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique (FIAP). Represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Sultanate of Oman won the gold medal at the “country level”, while photographer Hatim bin Dhahi Al Rashidi won the ...

"Sur in the Memory of Postage Stamps" Exhibition Opens at National Museum Muscat, 3 Nov (ONA) ---- In conjunction with the selection of Sur as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024, the National Museum inaugurated today an exhibition titled "Sur in the Memory of Postage Stamps". This exhibition offers visitors a historical visual journey through stamps that narrate the rich history and culture of Sur. The event was inaugurated under the patronage of Dr. Yahya Badr Al Ma’awali, Governor of South A’Sharqiyah, and will continue until 14 November 2024. The exhibition ...

Oman Participates in Brunei Darussalam Book Fair 2024 Bandar Seri Begawan, 3 Nov (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Information, the Sultanate of Oman took part in Brunei Darussalam Book Fair (Pesta Buku Brunei 2024) held in Bandar Seri Begawan from 2 to 11 November. Oman’s participation in the event was aimed to consolidate cultural ties with Brunei and celebrate the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The event also affirmed commitment to develop sustainable cooperation, ...

Board of Trustees of National Museum Holds its 12th meeting Muscat, 31 Oct (ONA) --- The National Museum’s Board of Trustees today held its 12th meeting under the chairmanship of Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism and Chairman of the National Museum’s Board of Trustees. The meeting discussed approving the Museum’s annual report for 2024, along with the Museum’s annual plan for 2025, as well as work plans and programs related to cultural diplomacy and international cooperation. The meeting also discussed the retrieval of a number of artefacts ...

ROHM to Welcome Soul Stirring Shows in November 2024 Muscat, 28 Oct (ONA) --- Following the critically acclaimed start of the new season, the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is continuing with a full calendar of events, bringing international performances to Oman’s stage. Looking forward to November 2024, the opera house’s calendar will feature a variety of shows including Portuguese soul music, the glorious pageantry of the marching bands, an open-air concert, and a sophisticated evening of jazz. November opens with Cristina Branco, a legendary Fado singer who brings ...

ALECSO Issues 32nd Part of Encyclopedia for Notable Arab, Muslim ScholarsTunis, 23 Oct (ONA) --- The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) issued today the 32nd part of the encyclopedia of notable Arab and Muslim scholars and writers. The organization explained in a statement that this encyclopedic scientific work is considered an authenticated reference supervised by Arab specialists in the art of biographies by reviewing literary works, documenting their data and highlighting their impact on Arab and Islamic culture. It pointed out ...

Ministry of Culture Organizes 3rd Edition of Muscat Art Exhibition Muscat, 22 Oct (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth will organize the 3rd edition of Muscat Art Exhibition 2024 from 28 to 31 October. The exhibition will be held at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The opening ceremony will be held under the auspices of Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. The event will see the participation of more than 200 artists from 18 countries, including Hungary, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, India, the United ...

Italian Language Week in the World Concludes in the National MuseumMuscat, 17 Oct (ONA) --- The National Museum and the Embassy of Italy in Muscat today marked the finale of the 24th edition of the Italian Language Week in the World with a special theatrical performance titled “The Faerie Tale of Venice and the Incense Trade Route through Dante Alighieri’s Words.”The event was held under the patronage of Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum. During the welcome speech, Al Moosawi emphasized the importance of language as a bridge between cultures and its role ...

Culture Undersecretary Visits Ataturk Cultural Centre Turkey, 14 Oct (ONA)--- Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, Chairman of the Management and Operation Committee of "Oman Cultural Complex Project", today visited the Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM), which is one of the most prominent architectural and cultural landmarks in Turkey. The visit was aimed to benefit from the Centre's expertise in management, modern techniques and training programmes for operational staff. Al Busaidi explored the edifice's diverse ...

Oman Takes Part in UNESCO Executive Board Meetings Paris, 14 Oct (ONA)--- The Sultanate of Oman is taking part in the 220th session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The meeting is being held in Paris until 23 October 2024. The Omani side is represented by Ambassador Amna Salim Rashid Al Balushi, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the UNESCO. In her speech before the council, Amna Al Balushi reaffirmed Oman’s steadfast commitment to support peace, security and stability in the world. She ...

Belarusian Prime Minister Visits National Museum, Royal Opera House Muscat. Muscat, 14 Oct (ONA)--- Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus, today visited the National Museum as part of his official visit to the Sultanate of Oman. The guest and his accompanying delegation toured the museum and listened to a briefing about its halls that showcase the cultural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman. In the Maritime History Hall, the guest took note of documents chronicling the Omani fleet during the era of Sultan Said bin Sultan and artifacts from the wreckage of ...

National Museum Organizes Cultural Event Muscat, 9 Oct (ONA) ---- The National Museum, represented by the Learning Centre in collaboration with Chechen State Pedagogical University in the Russian Federation, organized a cultural event celebrating the Russian artist and writer Alexander Pushkin from. This event targets school, college, and university students, with the support of BP Oman. The event opening was attended by His Excellency Jamal bin Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum, Ilya Morgunov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to ...

National Museum, Oman Thakira Centre Sign Cooperation Agreement Muscat, 9 Oct (ONA) ---- In a step aimed at highlighting the treasures of Omani cultural heritage, the National Museum and the Oman Thakira Centre signed a cooperation agreement today to exchange knowledge and expertise of mutual interest. The agreement was signed by Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum, and Mahmoud Abdullah Al Saqri, Head of the Oman Thakira Centre. This agreement reflects both parties' belief in the importance of partnership between government institutions and ...

Book on Oman-Korea Historical Cooperation, Friendship LaunchedMuscat, 6 Oct (ONA) --- Acting in cooperation with the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Seoul, the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) published a book titled "The Sultanate of Oman: Historical Cooperation and Friendship with the Republic of Korea".The book was authored by Korean writer Dr. Hee Soo Lee.The first edition of the book (in Arabic and Korean languages) comprises seven chapters: It reflects the writer’s keenness on the strategic importance of the Sultanate of Oman and his awareness about the need ...

Names of winners of 4th Edition of Children's Culture Award 2024 UnveiledMuscat, 6 Oct (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth today announced the names of winners of the 4th edition of the Children's Culture Award 2024. The award aims to develop and enhance cultural and artistic innovation and motivate talented children to develop their potential.The first place went to Aleen Majid Al Saidi for her topic featuring the importance of trees in biodiversity. Second prize was bagged by Rawqan Mahmoud Ahmed for success in highlighting the same theme. Third prize was awarded to ...

Study Uncovers Ancient Genetic Roots of Japanese PeopleTokyo, 6 Oct (ONA) --- A groundbreaking genetic study by RIKEN’s Center for Integrative Medical Sciences has redefined common understanding of Japan's ancestry.By analyzing genomes from 3,200 individuals across Japan, scientists have uncovered a third ancestral group linked to northeast Asia, particularly the Emishi people, which complements the traditionally acknowledged lineages of East Asian rice-farming migrants and the indigenous Jomon hunter-gatherers.The findings have substantial implications for personalized medicine, ...

Oman to Participate in Baku International Book FairMuscat, 1 Oct (ONA) --- Represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Sultanate of Oman will take part in Baku International Book Fair scheduled to be held in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan, from 2 to 8 October 2024.Oman’s participation in the event stems from strategic objectives to showcase its culture and consolidate the presence of Omani intellectual product at international forums.The Ministry’s pavilion serves as a gateway to introduce visitors to Oman’s past and present. It comprises a diverse range of ...

LDP Leader Formally Elected Japan's Prime Minister Tokyo, 1 Oct (ONA) —-- Japan's ruling party leader Shigeru Ishiba was elected prime minister in the parliament today, succeeding Fumio Kishida to take charge of the country at a time of low public confidence in politics and shaky economy. Ishiba, who was elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last week, was endorsed by both the lower and upper house. The confirmation sets the stage for a general election on 27 October 2024, Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported. Long seen as a maverick, the ...

Oman Participates in Venice Architecture Biennale Muscat, 30 Sep (ONA) --- The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, will take part for the first time in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale scheduled to be held from 10 May to 23 November 2025. The event will take the theme “Integrating Human and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Architecture”. Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, and Commissioner General of the Sultanate of Oman’s Pavilion at ...

Study Reveals Key Narrative Element Predicts Story Success Washington, 24 Sep (ONA)--- A new study published in Science Advances reveals that the success of a story can be predicted by the number and intensity of narrative reversals—key moments when characters experience dramatic shifts in fortune. Analyzing 30,000 stories across movies, TV shows, novels, and fundraising pitches, researchers found that narratives featuring more frequent and pronounced emotional tone changes tend to resonate better with audiences. This research aims to fill a gap in ...

Hundreds of Mysterious Nazca Glyphs DiscoveredTokyo, 24 Sep (ONA) --- Hundreds of new Nazca glyphs have been discovered in the desert of southern Peru, adding to the mystery of these ancient designs.Using drones and AI, a team led by Masato Sakai from Yamagata University uncovered 303 new geoglyphs, nearly doubling the known number to over 700.The Nazca glyphs, first discovered in the 1940s, are large-scale designs etched into the ground, best viewed from the sky. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE, their purpose has puzzled archaeologists for decades.The newly found glyphs, mostly ...

Stone Head From Roman Period Found at Carlisle DigLondon, 23 Sep (ONA) --- Archaeologists from the “Uncovering Roman Carlisle” project have found a carved stone head during excavations of the Carlisle Cricket Club in Carlisle, England.The project is a community excavation, focusing on uncovering a Roman bathhouse first discovered in 2017. The bathhouse is located near the Roman fort of Uxelodunum (meaning “high fort”), also known as Petriana, in the Carlisle district of Stanwix. Uxelodunum was constructed to control the territories west of present-day Carlisle and an important ...

Scientists Reconstruct Oldest Human Genomes Ever Found in South AfricaCape Town, 23 Sep (ONA) --- Researchers have reconstructed the oldest human genomes ever found in South Africa from two people who lived around 10,000 years ago, allowing a better understanding of how the region was populated, an author of the study said.The genetic sequences were from a man and a woman whose remains were found at a rock shelter near the southern coastal town of George, about 370 kilometres (230 miles) east of Cape Town, said University of Cape Town (UCT) biological anthropology professor Victoria ...

Symposium Elaborates on Means to Invest in Omani Youth Encyclopedia Muscat, 23 Sep (ONA) --- The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth is organizing a symposium titled "Investment Opportunities in the Omani Encyclopaedia for Youth". The two-day symposium, which kicked off today, focuses on highlighting the encyclopaedia’s importance in instilling national and cultural values in Omani children and grooming their identity. It identifies the most important opportunities to invest in the encyclopedia cognitively, technically and economically. The opening ceremony was held under ...

Royal Opera House Muscat Begins its Season with Verdi’s Performance Muscat, 22 Sep (ONA) --- The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) will launch its 2024/25 season with a remarkable series of performances this October 2024. The season opens on 3 and 5 October with Un Ballo in Maschera by Giuseppe Verdi, performed for the first time in Oman by the National Centre of Performing Arts Beijing (NCPA). This production features a stellar cast including Elena Stikhina, Piotr Beczała, Liao Changyong, Agnieszka Rehlis, and Enkelada Kamani under the direction of the acclaimed Hugo de Ana. ...

Six Novels Revealed as Shortlist for German Book PrizeBerlin, 17 Sep (ONA) —- The six finalists for the German Book Prize, among the highest honours for German-language novels, were announced in Frankfurt today. The novels from authors Martina Hefter, Maren Kames, Clemens Meyer, Ronya Othmann, Markus Thielemann and Iris Wolff deal with recent history, war, violence and love. The winner of the prize will be announced on 14 October 2024, and the award is traditionally presented the day before the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair, a major international gathering for ...

Major City Ruins Discovered in ChinaBeijing, 17 Sep (ONA) —- The discovery of the relics site of a major city dating back about 3,700 years marks a major breakthrough in archaeological research on the Xia Dynasty (2070 BC-1600 BC), China's earliest known dynasty, authorities said. The Baliqiao archaeological site, located in Fangcheng County in the city of Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, shows enormous similarity to the Erlitou ruins, a previously excavated ground-breaking site that was identified by archaeologists as one of the capital cities during the Xia ...

Usak Reveals 9 Graves from Byzantine Period in TürkiyeIstanbul, 11 Sep (ONA) --- Nine graves from the Middle Byzantine period have been discovered in the ancient city of Sebaste, founded by Rome's first emperor, Augustus, now located in Uşak, western Türkiye.Excavation work at Sebaste, located in Selçikler resumed in 2022 after a 44-year hiatus, is ongoing. The work, led by the Uşak Archaeology Museum, involves faculty members from Uşak University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Archaeology, associate professor Emre Taştemür and associate professor Münteha ...

Omani Author’s Novel Shortlisted for Abdul Hameed Shoman Children Literature Award Amman, 3 Sep (ONA) --- A novel authored by Omani writer Ruqayya Abdullah Al Badi has been shortlisted for the 18th edition of “The Abdul Hameed Shoman Children’s Literature Award”. The novel, titled "The Boy Who Ran with His Heart", focused on the theme of "Adventure Literature", a genre of discourse dedicated to the age group 12-16 years.Shoman Foundation appointed a jury tasked with assessing the entries to the award. The jury comprised professionals in literature, criticism, and ...