NIZWA, MARCH 26
The five-day Nizwa Fort Festival ended on Friday. The festival was organised by Bawader International, the operating company of Nizwa Fort, in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. The festival offered a chance for entertainment and fun after spells of Covid-19 lockdowns and movement restrictions. The people of Nizwa came out in large numbers to not only cheer up the artistes and craftspeople, but also to savour Omani delicacies. The festival is part of the MoHT’s plans to reboot tourism across governorates.
The ministry aims to hold this festival annually and develop it in the coming years.
Ahmed al Yarubi of Bawader said: “One of the aims of the festival is to introduce people to the history and heritage of the Nizwa Fort. It is also an opportunity for everyone to showcase their talents. The biggest goal is to attract more visitors from the Sultanate of Oman’s other governorates here and to raise the occupancy rate in heritage inns and hotels.”
The highlight of the festival was the participation of small enterprises which used the venue to promote their services and products. It also featured exhibitions of paintings, craft, folk arts and stalls for children.
Three plays were presented during the festival; ‘The rebel play’ by Ibri Youth Troupe, ‘Al Tanour’ by Al Shahba Troupe and ‘The House Games’ by Al Hilal Troupe in the castle theatre.
More than 300 participants from government institutions, small and medium companies and local community members participated in the festival.
The festival was opened under the auspices of Eng Ibrahim bin Said al Kharousi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage, in the presence of Shaikh Hilal bin Said al Hajri, Governor of Al Dakhiliyah.
