Crafts festival in Oman concludes

Muscat: Having witnessed the participation of forty-nine projects and craft institutions and in the presence of a large number of visitors, Crafts Festival concludes today at the Al Mouj Marina in Muscat governorate.

Her Excellency Sheikha Aisha Al Siyabi, head of the Public Authority for Craft Industries said in a statement: "The activities of the Authority's celebration of the 49th National Day was embodied in the adoption of innovative initiatives and the launching of projects and integrated programs to support craftsmen. 49 craftsmen and national craft institutions participated in the activities of the festival."

During the opening ceremony of the festival, the names of the third group of 610 craftsmen who are entitled to support of the craft for 2019 have been announced.
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"Through the festival we seek to emphasize the importance of the national craft sector in the promotion of sources of income, as craft industries are one of the pillars that countries seek to attract and to invest young energies in addition to the importance of crafts in the growth of social, economic and cultural projects and their influential role in providing the community utilitarian and aesthetic products developed with symbolic entrenchment of national identity," Al Siyabi added.

The festival visitors will have a chance to see professional art handicraft products, as well as the opportunity to acquire artifacts with multiple aesthetic advantages.

According to the Ministry, during the year 2019, the sector witnessed a growth in the number of craftsmen. And at the end of October 2019, the number of craftsmen reached 22,685 men and women.
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Lamia Al Zidjali, a participant in the festival said: "The festival is supportive of Omani crafts. This event highlights the Authority's and the participating craftsmen's interest in introducing various Omani handicrafts and products to the community such as silver and wooden industries, weaving, pottery, ceramics and palmettes."

"In addition, this festival facilitates the Omani craftsman's communication with the public, which contributes to the development of products through his views, ideas, and allows for evaluation of the products, which will undoubtedly spread and expand when they meet customer needs." Al Zidjali added: "We hope the authority will repeat such events periodically and in different tourist locations so that we can market our products and promote our businesses."