Culture plays pivotal role in Oman's global presence
OSAKA: HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Chairman of the Main Committee for Oman's Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, presided over an Omani cultural evening. The event, held at the Osaka Museum of Modern Art as part of the Omani Pavilion's activities at Expo 2025 Osaka, brought together Omani and Japanese culture.
The Omani cultural evening featured an art exhibition showcasing 12 digital artworks by talented Omani artists specialising in digital art. Representing diverse artistic schools, their works embodied Oman's cultural identity, future aspirations and extended links, blending digital painting techniques with authentic Omani identity. The pieces reflected a range of contemporary styles and patterns, through which the artists expressed their identities and worldviews, capturing aspects of Omani heritage, nature and tradition in innovative ways that fuse cultural legacy with modern creativity.
The exhibited artworks explored themes of life, innovation, interactive visual experiences, visual memory and Omani identity, alongside pieces aligned with the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and the enduring influence of Omani culture. The exhibition highlighted the dynamism of Oman's art scene and its embrace of new technologies in artistic expression, drawing notable engagement from Japanese and international attendees.
The evening's programme also included musical performances by Omani youth, harmonising cross-cultural artistic beauty.
On the sidelines of the evening, HH Sayyid Theyazin met a group of Omani students pursuing studies at various Japanese universities. He also listened to their experiences and aspirations, reaffirming Oman's commitment to supporting its youth and fostering their presence in fields of knowledge, research and innovation.
At the conclusion of the evening, the Commissioner General of Oman's Pavilion presented a commemorative gift to HH Sayyid Theyazin - a Japanese sword known as 'Katana'. This cultural and artistic artefact symbolises the balance between beauty and utility in Japanese philosophy, embodying the legacy of the samurai and the centuries-old craft of sword making. Forged by master artisan Gassan Sadakazu, it is recognised as a 'living treasure' and represents the pinnacle of Japanese swordsmithing, reflecting artistic creativity and inherited family traditions. The sword stands as a living heritage of Japanese culture, encapsulating values of discipline and innovation integral to traditional Japanese society.
Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture and Commissioner General of Oman's Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, said: "This evening reinforces the extended links and cultural exchange between Oman and Japan, affirming that art and music are universal languages capable of bridging nations across geographical distances."
He added: "This evening represents a civilisational dialogue between two ancient cultures - Omani and Japanese - that share a reverence for beauty, a commitment to identity, and a pursuit of sustainability and innovation." He noted that the participation of young Omani artists with contemporary digital works reflects a qualitative leap in Oman's creative landscape, demonstrating how Oman Vision 2040 is being realised through talents blending heritage and modernity. Culture, he emphasised, plays a pivotal role in sustainable development and strengthening Oman's global presence, with such initiatives amplifying Omani culture internationally and opening new avenues for dialogue and mutual understanding.
The event was attended by Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and Deputy Chairman of the Main Committee for Oman's Participation in Expo 2025 Osaka; Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Dr Mohammed bin Said al Busaidy, Oman's Ambassador to Japan; along with diplomatic, academic and cultural figures, as well as representatives of participating institutions and supporting Omani companies. - ONA
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