Friday 03 / May / 2024
Muscat: On 9th March, ABA Oman International School hosted the annual International Cultural Festival (ICF) to celebrate ABA’s diversity and vibrant community spirit. The event also marked the first anniversary of the school's move to the new campus, which was inaugurated by ABA alumni, His Highness Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said.
ABA Head of School, Craig Williamson, said, “The International Cultural Festival is a celebration of our community’s diversity, which includes 65 different countries. We have come together to recognize and appreciate what makes us all unique, promote intercultural competences, global citizenship, and share our love and respect for one another."
Mr Bikram Monga, ABA Board Chair, stated, “We are proud to be celebrating this occasion with our multicultural community as we also mark ABA’s 35-year strong legacy as a leading international school in Oman.”
The ICF featured a melange of festivities with an exciting cultural extravaganza, traditional food stalls, and even a mini football World Cup. The festival opened with Omani drummers leading the parade; their rhythmic beats setting the tone for the rest of the procession. The Parade of Nations that followed was a spectacle to behold, with flag-bearers proudly waving their National flags.
Minita Sampat, the PTA Chair delightfully expressed, “The ICF at ABA is more than an event, it is the heart of our vibrant community. The spirit, generosity, energy and enthusiasm of ABA parents, teachers, staff and students is what makes this festival special. The PTA is honoured to host it again and make it a memorable one.”
“We are thrilled to showcase glimpses of our traditions through ICF, and also engage in new cultural experiences from different parts of the world,” Nawal Al Rahbi, a parent and staff member added.
From the colourful and energetic dances and art forms of Mauritius, Spain, India, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, and Brazil, to the beautiful songs and instrumental music of Mexico, China, Indonesia, Philippines, and Iran, each performance was a testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions of our community. The traditional food stalls were a major draw with a range of mouthwatering dishes and delicious flavours from cuisines around the globe.
One of the students attending exclaimed, “The ICF is a great opportunity to share my culture and traditions with my friends and the wider community. It is also fascinating to learn something new about different countries through various activities and food at the different stalls.”
The festivities ended on a high note, with participants and guests thoroughly enjoying their ‘tour around the world’.
ABA Oman International School is a not-for-profit IB Continuum School in Muscat, Oman, providing international education of the highest quality in an intercultural environment. ABA educates the next generation of leaders and innovators in a diverse community, inspiring and empowering them to make a positive impact in the world. Visit www.abaoman.org to discover The ABA Way.
