MUSCAT – The Salalah Tourism Festival 2013 will be inaugurated on the second day of Eid al Fitr in August and will continue for 25 days, H E Sheikh Salim bin Aufait al Shanfari, head of Dhofar Municipality and head of the festival organising committee said on Tuesday. The theme this year is ‘Oman – Giving and Loyalty’.
More than 1.8mn visitors experience the festival annually and enjoy the region’s unique climate. He announced that this year’s festival will include a number of events and activities, such as lectures on religious, scientific and cultural topics.
This year’s ‘Cultural Village’ will host competitions among wilayats and performances by traditional troupes from the sultanate and other GCC countries. There will also be art events and exhibitions by Omani Women’s Association and Al Wafa Social Centres in Dhofar.
About 1,120 craftsmen and women showcase craft products at the festival. “The consumer exhibition will have exhibitors from Oman and other countries.” There will also be an exhibition titled ‘Oman, the Land of Friendship and Peace’ apart from events showcasing the festival’s development over the years and the efforts to promote culture and diversity, he said.
“Besides exhibitions by public and private sectors organisations, the festival will witness fine arts and sporting events. It will also have a Children’s Village and Electrical City, besides fireworks and theatre performances by local and regional troupes.”
