Symposium Explores Oman’s Intangible
Cultural Heritage, Sustainable Knowledge

Muscat, 22 Oct (ONA) — The German
University of Technology today hosted a national symposium titled “Living
Heritage: A Human Story and the Sustainability of Knowledge.”

The symposium was held under the
patronage of Eng. Ibrahim bin Said Al Kharousi, Undersecretary of the Ministry
of Heritage and Tourism for Heritage, and in the presence of Sayyid Said bin
Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth
for Culture. The event, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth
in partnership with the Ministry of Education, commemorated International Day
of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The symposium gathered researchers,
academics, postgraduate students specializing in intangible cultural heritage,
and professionals working in this field to examine cultural indicators of
intangible heritage and discuss the crucial role of both governmental and
private institutions in its preservation and documentation.

The symposium aimed to highlight the
significance of the International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage while
exploring Oman’s intangible cultural heritage indicators within sustainable
development frameworks. Additional objectives included raising public awareness
of intangible heritage’s role in healthcare practices, emphasizing the
importance of digital documentation methods, and examining how intangible
heritage aligns with Oman’s educational philosophy and systems.

The symposium program featured two
comprehensive working sessions. The first session, “Intangible Cultural
Heritage: Policies and Initiatives,” comprised three substantive
presentations. Khulood Ali Al Rashdi,
Head of the Intangible Heritage Department at the Oman National Commission for
Education, Culture and Science, delivered the first paper titled
“Indicators of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Oman within Sustainable
Development Dimensions.” Eng. Majed Al Muhanna from the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia presented the second paper addressing “Intangible Cultural
Heritage: The Relationship Between Culinary Arts, Traditional Knowledge, and
Sustainable Development.” Lieutenant Commodore Hilal bin Ali Al Hinai from
the Royal Navy of Oman concluded the session with a presentation highlighting
intangible cultural heritage milestones documented during the “Glories of
the Seas 2025” maritime voyage.

The second working session, focusing
on “The Role of Governmental and Private Entities in Intangible Cultural
Heritage,” also featured three detailed presentations. Ahmed bin Rashid Al
Shehi from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth outlined the Ministry’s
comprehensive efforts in preserving and documenting intangible cultural
heritage. Salim bin Darwish Al Hasani from the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Water Resources examined traditional knowledge systems associated
with Omani fishing traditions, particularly seafaring. Sultan bin Ali Al Hasani
from Al Batinah Stud Farm presented research on contributions of intangible
cultural heritage to healthcare, using traditional horse breeding knowledge as
a primary case study.

The opening ceremony featured a
documentary film showcasing Omani cultural elements inscribed on UNESCO’s
Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. The chief guest subsequently toured an
accompanying exhibition displaying photographic works by Omani photographers
and historical Omani manuscripts that reflect the diverse cultural elements
Oman has successfully registered with UNESCO.

— Ends/Khalid