Khareef Festival 2007 off to colourful start
SALALAH — The Khareef Salalah Festival 2007 was officially inaugurated yesterday at a colourful ceremony at the Municipality Recreational Centre under the auspices of Sayyid Abdullah bin Hamad Al Busaidi, chairman of the State Audit Institution (SAI) in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali Al Qatabi, minister of state and governor of Dhofar, and a number of ministers and advisers. The festival will continue till August 31.
As the chief guest declared the festival open, troupes sang a beautiful number A gift from the heart amidst the glittering folk dances depicting the rich cultural heritage of the Sultanate. Folk dances from the Arab, Gulf and other friendly countries were also performed during the event.
The scene at the inaugural ceremony reflected expressions of gratitude and loyalty to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and, an extension of warm welcome to the guests visiting the region during the Khareef season.
It reflected the significance of the trees and the royal care extended to the agriculture sector during the Blessed Renaissance era.
Several troupes from within the Sultanate, the AGCC states, school students, the Omani Women’s Association and scouts took part in the opening celebrations, which concluded by a joint performance by all the participants.
At the opening ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ali Al Qatabi, minister of state and governor of Dhofar presented the chief guest with a commemorative gift.
The chief guest accompanied by a number of ministers, undersecretaries, advisers, dignitaries and invitees toured the various sections of the Municipality Recreational Centre.
The function was attended by members of the the Sate Council and Majlis Al Shura in the Dhofar governorate, ministers, undersecretaries, advisers, walis, officials, sheikhs, dignitaries and visitors.
The festival, which will continue for 48 days, will cover several religious, cultural, economic, and social and sports activities.
Most of the activities would be organised at the Municipality Recreational Centre at Attin, the main venue of the festival.
Seminars, cultural activities and entertainment programmes at Souq Al Hisn, Al Mughasil beach and some activities at the Samharam Tourism Village would be held during the course of this festival.
The festival would also include special exhibitions with some pavilions for government departments, nine singing programmes, five poetry evenings and performances by the local and Gulf troupes.
Two programmes of Omani singers, three programmes by Yemeni singers, theatrical shows and performances by Jordanian and Sudanese troupes would be held at the main theatre of the Municipality Recreational Centre.
The coastal, agricultural, rural and Bedouin environments have been recreated at the Heritage village, one of the main attractions of the festival. Visitors will be treated to Omani traditional foods; folklores, traditional games, handicrafts at the venue. Seventeen wilayats of the Sultanate are participating in this year’s festival.
The activities will include fireworks and electronic games, acrobatics, video games and car shows as well as camel and horse safaris.
Entertainment activities for children will include dramas and comedy shows among others.
As part of the sports activities, Khareef Festival Football Championship will begin from August 1 and continue till August 10 at Sports Stadium in Salalah.
A horse show will be also organised from August 4 to 9. The second international beach volleyball championship will be held from August 8 to 11 at Al Mughasail beach with the participation of Gulf, Arab and other friendly countries.
An annual shooting contest for the Royal Oman Police will be held at Raisut with the participation of 18 wilayats and 300 contestants from various regions of the Sultanate.