Muscat Municipality, Sultanate of Oman and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Istanbul, jointly organised the second session of the Muscat International Festival for Arts and Crafts on 3 February – 01 March 2012 in Muscat. The Festival was accompanied by 'Muscat International Award for Innovation and Creativity in the Crafts' (worth US$100,000); and the 'International Exhibition of Artisans-as at-work'.

The festival aimed to gather the innovators and craftsmen in pavilions, forming a craft village where they displayed their works, their tools and the techniques used in their workshops. Among the organized activities were the 'Exhibitions of Artisans-at-work' and 'Arts and Crafts Market (Bazaar)'. A program of activities included a folkloric parade under the slogan 'Revival and Protection of Traditional Heritage'.

The festival was opened on February 7, 2012 with a folkloric parade in the main courtyard of the Festival at Al Qurm Park in the city of Muscat. Folkloric groups presented their show during this parade with fireworks to celebrate this occasion, and to raise awareness of the importance of artisans, and revival and protection of the traditional heritage.

Image above: Inauguration Ceremony: H.E. Engineer Sultan Al Harithy, Chairman, Muscat Municipality, H. E. Dr. Halit Eren, Director General, IRCICA and Dr. Nezih Maruf, International Coordinator of the Muscat International Festival for Handicrafts and Head, Crafts Development Program, IRCICA, Istanbul / Photo: Courtesy of IRCICA

Muscat 2012 / The main courtyard of the Festival at Al Qurm Park in the city of Muscat / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / The main courtyard of the Festival at Al Qurm Park in the city of Muscat / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Live Presentations of Artisans-as at-Work

Artisans form 32 various countries displayed their tools, skills and techniques in the fields of arts and handicrafts in special pavilions. Participants and visitors of the exhibition enjoyed the opportunity to get acquainted with this rich heritage, to met artisans and inquire about their works, and to acquire some of the pieces; as a result, this will contribute in increasing public awareness of this important field.

Participating Countries: Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Daghistan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Senegal, Spain, Sudan, Tataristan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, The Hosting Country Sultanate of Oman, and Yemen

Muscat 2012 / A program at the main courtyard of the Festival in Muscat / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / A program at the main courtyard of the Festival in Muscat / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / A Participant of the folkloric parade / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Arts and Crafts Market (Bazaar)

The Bazaar was organised in the form of a craft village where craft products and pieces from different countries were offered for sale. Visitors and tourist delegations enjoyed the facility of discovering the diversity of handicrafts such as sewing and embroidery, traditional costumes, carpets and rugs, decorating, Qur’an binding and gilding, marbled paper, architecture, mushrabiya, stucco colored glass, pottery and ceramics, silver and metal crafts, and engraving, reflecting the high level of cultural heritage. The essential objective of the Bazaar was to present the characteristics of the traditional handicrafts in order to attract more visitors, and to approach the international institutions working in the field of design, architecture and heritage.

Muscat 2012 / Visitors visiting one of the pavilions / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

image Muscat 2012 / The Pavilion of Sultanate of Oman / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / The Pavilions / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / The Pavilions / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / Dr. Nezih Maruf, International Coordinator of the Muscat International Festival for Handicrafts and Head, Crafts Development Program, IRCICA, Istanbul talking to Amila Smajović about her work / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / Elvis Hajdarević makes Ebru / Photo by Amila Smajović

image Muscat 2012 / City Muscat during the day / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / City Muscat during the day / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / City Muscat during the night / Photo by Elvis Hajdarević

Muscat 2012 / The participants of the Festival / Photo by Amila Smajović

Muscat 2012 / The participants of the Festival / Photo by Amila Smajović


Comments
  • sami ullah
    May 22, 2012 - 21:58:09

    I have seen the picture’s collation, nice and most beautiful. I am also a artisan of Mughal Art & Lacquer Wood work. Our family work on wood last four century. My grand father Muhammad Ashraf the pride of performance Saarc award
    My father Muhammad Fahim is also work on Lacquer wood. Pakistan D I Khan KPK

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