Salalah: The Cultural and Literary Street, which the Dhofar Municipality created this year as part of the Ittin Square events in the Wilayat of Salalah, is a highlight of the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season 2025.
It seeks to highlight the governorate's rich cultural landscape through interactive events that appeal to people of all ages.
The Cultural Street offers a variety of associated events, including musical performances, storytelling, plastic arts, poetry evenings, and a postman event.
It also features extensive engagement from publishing houses and libraries, which are presenting Omani and Arab literary and cultural works suited to the interests of various community groups.
In this setting, Salim Mohammed Al Yafai, Director of the Cultural and Literary Street and Chairman of the Khareef Dhofar Book Fair 2025, stated that the fair is held every year during the Khareef season. This year, Ittin Square was selected as the venue to be a component of the Cultural and Literary Street due to its significant position in the season's events.
He stated that the exhibition features 27 publishing businesses and libraries from several Gulf and Arab nations.
He stated that Dhofar Municipality has devised a cultural program with several stops to enhance visitors' cultural experiences, adding that he expects the fair will increase both local and foreign participation.
Awadh Salim Al Shukaili, owner of Bain Al Suttoor (Between the Lines) publishing firm, stated that his organization is attending the fair for the fourth year in a row.
He emphasized that the publishing company is a significant supporter of Omani writers, having assisted in the printing and publication of books by several Omani authors, in addition to participating in Gulf and Arab exhibitions.
He said that the goal of creating the institution was to enable Omani writers to have a presence on regional and global platforms.
The publishing company publishes self-help, fiction, short tales, law, and Omani heritage books.
Adel Metwally, a representative for Egypt's Boursat Al Kotob (Book Exchange) publishing company, said that they have been engaged in the Khareef Dhofar Book Fair on a regular basis since 2015.
He stated that this year's engagement will focus on showcasing Omani books, notably those on history, promoting young Omani authors, and offering children's and scientific books.
Metwally lauded the Cultural and Literary Street experience, calling it remarkable, notably due to the aesthetic attractiveness of its setting in Ittin Square.
He stated that Boursat Al Kotob has over 100 books by Omani writers from several regions of Oman, spanning poetry, novels, short stories, memoirs, and human development.
