Oman,
Belgium Ink Agreement to Organize “Wonders of the World” Exhibition

Muscat,
31 Dec 2025 (ONA) — The National Museum signed today an agreement to stage an
exhibition titled “Wonders of the World: From Maps to Artistic Masterpieces”,
in collaboration with the Phoebus Foundation of Belgium.

This
initiative aims to enhance cultural and artistic cooperation between the two
countries in the fields of art, culture, and shared artistic heritage.

The
agreement was signed on behalf of The National Museum by Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi,
Secretary-General of the National Museum, and on behalf of the Phoebus Foundation
by Dr. Katrien Van Cauteren, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, in the
presence of Ferdinand Huts, Chairman of the Board of the Phoebus Foundation.

As
per the agreement, the exhibition will be held from 2 December 2026 to 2 March
2027. It will highlight the contributions of Flemish artists and scholars
during the early modern period (16th–18th centuries), demonstrating how they
sought to understand the world around them with precision and passion. This was
achieved through cartography, the study of nature, including plants, shells,
and minerals, and through meticulous visual representations that combine
scientific inquiry with aesthetic refinement.

These
works emerged within a culture characterised by flourishing trade, a spirit of
discovery, and exceptional craftsmanship, one that regarded the world as a
space worthy of observation and contemplation. The exhibition places this
Flemish perspective in a balanced cultural dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman,
drawing on shared elements such as maritime horizons, navigation routes, and a
mutual interest in materials and visual culture.

The
Phoebus Foundation is regarded as one of Europe’s leading cultural and artistic
institutions. It is dedicated to the acquisition, conservation, and management
of art collections, as well as the organisation of exhibitions, cultural
programmes, and scholarly research related to the arts, thereby contributing to
the preservation of artistic heritage and its presentation to the public within
a comprehensive academic and cultural framework.

It
is worth noting that this exhibition forms part of the National Museum’s
ongoing efforts to strengthen international cultural dialogue and to highlight
points of convergence between civilisations through art and culture. These
efforts contribute to consolidating the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a hub
for cultural exchange and civilisational dialogue, while supporting
partnerships with leading international cultural institutions of long-standing
expertise.

—Ends/AG