Muscat International Book Fair attracts over 64,000 visitors
Ahmed Saud Al Rawahi, Director of Muscat International Book Fair, told Oman News Agency (ONA): 'With each edition, we strive to offer programmes that align with the aspirations and interests of all groups across various fields of knowledge. This year's 29th edition was notably more diverse and vibrant on multiple levels—local, Arab, and international—featuring the North A'Sharqiyah Governorate as the guest of honor, Saudi cultural days, and participants from Asia, Europe, and South America.'
He added that the fair's diversity was evident through dialogue sessions, lectures, workshops, and an expanded children's programme, all contributing to the overarching theme of the 29th edition: 'Cultural Diversity: Enriching Global Civilizations.' These efforts helped attract a broader audience.
Al Rawahi emphasised that the organising committee aims to build on this momentum through careful planning and continuous improvement, delivering human knowledge in all its forms and for all age groups. This approach serves books, readers, and publishers while aligning with humanity's cultural and intellectual progress and benefiting Omani society.
He noted that the surge in attendance resulted from enhanced organisational efforts and a diversified programme, reflecting lessons learned from past editions and audience interests. The fair's improved structure and varied events were well-received by visitors.
The participation of prominent cultural figures and extensive media coverage further highlighted the fair's significance, drawing more visitors despite its unusual early summer timing.
This year's fair introduced several changes and improvements, including a more diverse program and international participation in exhibitions and events.
The guest of honour pavilion, dedicated to North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, showcased the region's history and scenic beauty through an innovative and visually striking design, blending tradition and modernity.
Additionally, the arts corner featured exhibitions honouring late Omani artists and poets, celebrating their contributions to poetry and art, which further captivated visitors.
Regarding the most engaging cultural activities, Al Rawahi pointed out that the fair's accompanying programme included 366 diverse events, with specialised and children's workshops receiving particularly strong participation.
Muscat International Book Fair received extensive local and international media coverage, with 70 journalists representing 37 foreign media outlets, underscoring its role in promoting culture and knowledge.
This year's fair hosted 674 publishing houses from 35 countries—640 participating directly and 34 through agents—offering a total of 681,041 titles. These included approximately 467,413 Arabic books, 213,610 foreign titles, and 27,464 Omani publications. Around 52,205 newly printed books (2024–2025) were also featured.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
2 days ago
- Observer
Why more young Omanis turn to creative careers
In Oman, jobs in government, engineering, or medicine were seen not only as stable but also as respectable — the roles families encouraged with pride. But today, more young Omanis are redefining what success looks like. A new generation is shifting from conventional professions to creative ones, driven by passion, and a desire to make something meaningful. In a world that is constantly evolving, many young people no longer see creativity as a hobby, but as a career. Fashion, content creation, lifestyle, photography, or digital art are no longer on the sidelines. Several factors are fuelling this change. Social media has made it easier to share creative work with audiences globally. An Omani artist on Instagram can now reach followers from New York to Kuala Lumpur. What used to take years of networking can now happen with one viral post. This visibility builds confidence and encourages more young people to explore creative careers. At the same time, creativity offers something traditional jobs often don't: emotional connection. Whether it's telling personal stories through short films, designing clothes that reflects Omani identity, or capturing unfiltered life moments in photography or vlogs, these choices are powerful forms of self-representation. Still, the path isn't easy. Many creative youth struggle to get support from their families, face uncertainty around income and lack resources. Some work part-time while building their brands, while others struggle to find clients or recognition in local markets. These challenges are real but they haven't stopped the change. Recent local events and platforms are helping. Pop-ups, exhibitions and small business workshops are becoming more common in Muscat and other cities. These spaces allow emerging creatives to collaborate, learn and get seen. They also signal something important: Oman is beginning to recognise the value of creativity not just as art, but as a contributor to the economy, identity and culture. Parents, educators and decision-makers have a role to play. Encouraging youth to explore creative interests, offering support and building educational programmes around the arts can make a lasting difference. Creativity isn't about leaving tradition behind, it's about telling our stories in new ways. And if young Omanis are choosing that path, it's worth paying attention to. In the end, this shift isn't just about jobs; it's about expression, innovation and owning our narratives. The question isn't 'why are so many youth going into creative careers?' The real question is: why not?
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Hong Kong fans queue for opening of Cristiano Ronaldo exhibition
Hong Kong football fans queued for hours on Monday to snap pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo's trophies and jerseys at an exhibition billed as the first of its kind outside the superstar's native Portugal. Visitors at the opening of the "CR7 LIFE Museum Hong Kong" at a luxury shopping mall posed next to life-sized statues of the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, including one in mid-air celebration and another in traditional Saudi dress. "Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol... he's special," said 14-year-old Alvin Lai, who was first in a queue of more than 100 people. "He's the most hardworking person out there," said university student Henry Singh. "He's 40 years old and still going very strong." Cristiano Ronaldo's Golden Boot trophy is seen on display beside a portrait of the footballer during the opening of the CR7 LIFE Museum in Hong Kong on July 7, 2025. Ronaldo signed a new two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last month, calling it a "new chapter" in an Instagram post. Al Nassr are due to play in a pre-season tournament in Hong Kong next month. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo will be greeting fans at the museum "very soon", said Tomas Froes, a representative of the footballer's family office. The 12,000 square feet (1,110 square metres) exhibition sends a "strong message for everyone to achieve their dreams", Froes told AFP. Organisers have said the Hong Kong exhibition will run for a year before heading to mainland China. —AFP
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
Oman participates in Basel music show
BASEL: The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the Basel Tattoo Military Music Show 2025, held in Basel, Switzerland, from July 7-21, 2025. The event features musical bands from various countries around the world. The Royal Guard of Oman's band will perform a variety of musical formations and displays at the festival, showcasing the diversity and richness of Oman's military music traditions. Notably, the Basel Tattoo is an annual military festival established in 2006 and organised by the Swiss Ministry of Defence. It brings together international musical bands, performance teams and musicians. As the second-largest military music festival in the world after the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Basel Tattoo attracts approximately 130,000 visitors annually, making it one of the grandest military music spectacles globally. - ONA
