National Museum launches culture-rich programme
The summer programme targets three age groups, namely children (6–11 years), school students (12–16 years), and college/university students. Throughout July, it will feature a series of artistic and interactive workshops inspired by the National Museum's collections, designed to develop participants' skills and stimulate their creativity.
Amina bint Abdullah al Abriyah, Head of the National Museum's Learning Center, explained that 'Our Summer is Heritage & Identity" programme is one of the centre's annual initiatives to instil national identity values and strengthen youth connections to their cultural heritage through creative and experiential methods that blend art with heritage.
She noted that the National Museum is also participating in the 'Our Summer is Leadership & Creativity" programme in Al Batinah North Governorate, in collaboration with the Governor's Office, during July 6-10, 2025. The engagement includes artistic workshops organised by the Learning Center as part of its community awareness programme and children's literature reading series, covering diverse themes such as colouring, traditional architecture and Oman's maritime history.
National Museum launches culture-rich programme
She added that the programme seeks to solidify national identity among the younger generation through educational and artistic approaches that combine enjoyment with knowledge. These efforts align with the National Museum's mission to extend its cultural reach beyond its physical spaces and promote the values of heritage and national identity.
In Al Batinah North, the summer programme will be held across several wilayats — Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Al Suwaiq— benefiting 240 participants. Meanwhile, the Learning Center will host the first programme at the National Museum for children aged 6–11 during July 6-10. The second and third programmes, targeting school students (12–16 years) and university students, will take place at the Learning Center's corner in Muscat Grand Mall during July 13-17 and July 20-24, respectively, with 260 beneficiaries.
The National Museum's Learning Center is the first of its kind in Oman, equipped to international standards and offering diverse educational programmes to raise public awareness of Omani heritage. These include school visits, college/university programmes, family programmes, community outreach, continuous education, programmes for people with disabilities and children's literature reading sessions — all fostering deeper engagement with Oman's rich history among visitors of all ages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 hours ago
- Observer
How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith
In Oman, jewellery isn't just about adornment; it runs deep in the fabric of the nation's history and culture. For centuries, Omani craftsmen have created beautiful pieces that tell stories of family, faith, and tradition. These aren't simply decorative objects—they are tokens of identity, markers of life's milestones, and links to a heritage that spans generations. Among those carrying this legacy forward today is Zeina al Hinai, a talented jeweller whose work honours her roots and the rich history of Oman's jewellery craftsmanship. Omani jewellery has long been distinguished by its intricate designs, skilled craftsmanship, and meaningful symbolism. From delicate filigree work to bold, statement pieces, it reflects a culture that values beauty, community, and spirituality. Many of Oman's traditional styles have roots in the diverse influences that shaped the region—Arab, African, Persian, and Indian. Each piece tells a story of cultural exchange and ingenuity, a testament to the skilled hands of Omani artisans passed down through the ages. How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith Zeina grew up surrounded by this vibrant jewellery heritage. Her family often wore pieces that carried significance—gifts bestowed during weddings, religious occasions, or rites of passage. She learned early on that gold in Oman wasn't just material wealth—it was a vessel for stories, history, and emotion. For Zeina, jewellery was a way of holding onto memories, celebrating life's most important moments, and expressing her identity. But it was her own journey that sparked a new conversation about what jewellery could represent today. Zeina, trained as a mechanical engineer, discovered she also had a passion for design. Merging her technical knowledge with her cultural background, she began exploring ways to create jewellery that was rooted in her heritage but also spoke to contemporary life. One of Zeina's most meaningful projects started when her son, Badr, was born. She wanted to mark that significant moment with a piece of jewellery that went beyond mere ornamentation. She didn't want something generic—she sought a symbol that captured the depth and beauty of new life, a connection that could be cherished for generations. That desire led her to revisit the core principles of Omani craftsmanship, infusing her work with spiritual and cultural symbolism. How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith Zeina turned to the Quran, seeking inspiration within its verses and stories. She started pondering how jewellery could serve as a physical reminder of faith and love, of family bonds and gratitude. The idea took shape: what if each piece could carry names, meanings, and references from the Quran, making every piece deeply personal and spiritually resonant? It would be a way to wear faith and heritage close to the heart. Drawing inspiration from traditional Omani rings—known locally as tahyīs—Zeina wanted her jewellery to be something more than static adornment. In Oman, a tahyīs is often worn on the index finger, and the act of twisting the ring around the finger is a familiar, intimate gesture. She thought: what if a piece of jewellery could move with you, holding your story in motion? The name 'Hiyyas', which became Zeinab's brand, is inspired by a traditional Omani type of ring, typically worn on the index finger. Each piece of Hiyyas is more than an accessory—it's a personal archive. The process begins with choosing a name or meaning that holds significance for the wearer, then locating all the places where that word appears in the Qur'an. This isn't mass-produced jewellery; every ring is a handcrafted journey. How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith Her design process was meticulous. Zeina used her engineering skills to model her ideas digitally, mapping where specific words or names from the Quran would appear on each piece. These details might be raised from the surface or embedded as tiny gemstones—subtle symbols that only the wearer would recognise. Once the digital model was complete, the design was turned into a wax model, then cast in gold. Each final piece was individually handcrafted, making every ring unique. This approach challenged the notion of jewellery as mass-market product. In Oman and neighbouring regions, gold has long symbolised celebration—weddings, births, bequests of love. But Zeina's creations aimed to shift that perspective. Gold became a vessel for meaning, a connection to faith and personal stories. She wanted her jewellery to do more than decorate; she wanted it to embody depth, to serve as a tangible link to one's history, beliefs, and identity. Creating these pieces wasn't without its hurdles. Translating abstract concepts into physical objects that still felt authentic was a complex task. It involved patience, precision, and respect for traditional craftsmanship while embracing new ideas. Zeina's work is a reminder that the journey from idea to wearable art is one of dedication—combining technical skill with deep cultural appreciation. How a Mechanical Engineer Turned Her Cultural Roots into Wearable Stories of Faith The reception has been encouraging. More and more customers in Oman and beyond have shown interest in jewellery that resonates on a spiritual level, that isn't just about aesthetics but about connection. Zeina comments that while Oman has a proud history with gold, modern tastes are evolving. People are seeking jewellery that reflects who they are and what they believe, not just what they look like. Looking ahead, Zeina's work continues to evolve. Recently, she crafted a collection inspired by Jabal Akhdar, one of Oman's most beautiful mountain ranges. She designed over a hundred earrings shaped like pomegranate seeds—each one unique and imbued with symbolism drawn from he lush, abundant nature of the region. These tiny designs celebrate life, fertility, and growth—echoing the land's richness and its importance in Omani culture. Every piece is a testament to the local environment and the traditional stories passed down for generations. For Zeina, her work is more than creating beautiful jewellery; it's about reconnecting her community with their roots and inspiring pride in their heritage. She sees her designs as a continuation of the centuries-old craftsmanship that Oman has cultivated, adapting those timeless techniques into modern forms that still carry the spirit and soul of the traditional arts.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
National Museum launches culture-rich programme
MUSCAT: The National Museum has launched its summer programme, 'Our Summer is Heritage & Identity," organised by the museum's Learning Center with support from BP Oman. The initiative aims to enhance participants' awareness of national identity and reinforce the values of Oman's cultural heritage. The summer programme targets three age groups, namely children (6–11 years), school students (12–16 years), and college/university students. Throughout July, it will feature a series of artistic and interactive workshops inspired by the National Museum's collections, designed to develop participants' skills and stimulate their creativity. Amina bint Abdullah al Abriyah, Head of the National Museum's Learning Center, explained that 'Our Summer is Heritage & Identity" programme is one of the centre's annual initiatives to instil national identity values and strengthen youth connections to their cultural heritage through creative and experiential methods that blend art with heritage. She noted that the National Museum is also participating in the 'Our Summer is Leadership & Creativity" programme in Al Batinah North Governorate, in collaboration with the Governor's Office, during July 6-10, 2025. The engagement includes artistic workshops organised by the Learning Center as part of its community awareness programme and children's literature reading series, covering diverse themes such as colouring, traditional architecture and Oman's maritime history. National Museum launches culture-rich programme She added that the programme seeks to solidify national identity among the younger generation through educational and artistic approaches that combine enjoyment with knowledge. These efforts align with the National Museum's mission to extend its cultural reach beyond its physical spaces and promote the values of heritage and national identity. In Al Batinah North, the summer programme will be held across several wilayats — Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Al Suwaiq— benefiting 240 participants. Meanwhile, the Learning Center will host the first programme at the National Museum for children aged 6–11 during July 6-10. The second and third programmes, targeting school students (12–16 years) and university students, will take place at the Learning Center's corner in Muscat Grand Mall during July 13-17 and July 20-24, respectively, with 260 beneficiaries. The National Museum's Learning Center is the first of its kind in Oman, equipped to international standards and offering diverse educational programmes to raise public awareness of Omani heritage. These include school visits, college/university programmes, family programmes, community outreach, continuous education, programmes for people with disabilities and children's literature reading sessions — all fostering deeper engagement with Oman's rich history among visitors of all ages.
Muscat Daily
a day ago
- Muscat Daily
National Museum launches summer initiative
Muscat – National Museum of Oman has launched its annual summer initiative – Our Summer: Heritage and Identity – aimed at enhancing awareness of national identity and strengthening the connection of youngsters with Omani cultural heritage. Organised by the museum's Learning Centre, the initiative seeks to instil a sense of national identity among young people and enhance their appreciation of Oman's cultural legacy through interactive and educational activities. The programme targets three age groups – children between six and 11 years, school students aged 12 to 16, and college and university students. Throughout the month of July, participants will engage in a series of creative and artistic workshops inspired by the museum's permanent collections. The activities aim to nurture creative thinking, promote cultural awareness and encourage a deeper connection with national heritage. Speaking at the launch, Amina bint Abdullah al Abriyah, Head of the Learning Centre, noted that the programme is part of the centre's ongoing efforts to support cultural education. She emphasised the importance of presenting heritage in an innovative and engaging manner that combines artistic expression with historical learning. 'This initiative reflects our commitment to shaping a generation that understands and values its identity through both imagination and exploration,' she said. As part of its wider community outreach, National Museum is also participating in a programme called 'Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity' in North Batinah. Held in collaboration with North Batinah Governor's Office, the initiative runs from July 6 to 10 and features workshops conducted in Suhar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Khabourah and Suwaiq. Expected to benefit around 240 participants, the activities cover various themes such as traditional Omani architecture, maritime history and visual arts. The Muscat-based phase of the programme for children aged six to 11 is being held at the National Museum headquarters from July 6 to 10. Activities for school students aged 12 to 16 will take place from July 13 to 17, followed by sessions for college and university students from July 20 to 24 at the Learning Centre's dedicated space in Al Mouj Muscat, with a total of 260 individuals expected to take part. The Learning Centre at National Museum, the first of its kind in the sultanate, has been designed to meet the highest international standards. It offers a range of specialised programmes that cater to schools, higher education institutions, families, individuals with disabilities, and the wider community. It also hosts the museum's acclaimed children's literature series. Through such initiatives, the museum continues to enhance its role as a vital educational and cultural institution, supporting national efforts to preserve identity and celebrate Oman's enduring heritage.
