Muscat: The National Museum has unveiled the programme 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity', which is organised by the museum's Learning Centre with help from bp Oman. The initiative aims to increase participating students' awareness of national identity while also reinforcing Omani cultural heritage principles.
The summer program caters to three age groups: children (6 to 11 years), school pupils (12 to 16 years), and college and university students.
Throughout the month of July, several artistic and interactive workshops inspired by the National Museum's collections will be held to help participants develop their skills and stimulate their creative talents.
Amina bint Abdullah Al Abri, Head of the Learning Centre at the National Museum, stated that the "Our Summer: Heritage and Identity" program is one of the annual projects that the Learning Centre is eager to execute. It aims to instill the values of national identity and strengthen young people's connection to their cultural heritage through a creative and experimental approach that represents the intersection of art and heritage.
She noted that the National Museum will participate in the Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity program in North Al Batinah Governorate, in cooperation with the Governor's Office, from July 6 to 10, 2025. During this time, the Learning Centre will offer a number of artistic sessions as part of the Community Awareness Program and the Children's Literature Reading Series Program, which will cover various fields such as coloring, traditional architecture, and the history of Omani maritime navigation.
She explained that the program's goal is to cultivate national identity in the new generation via artistic educational methods that blend enjoyment and knowledge. This is part of the National Museum's efforts to expand its presence beyond its walls and communicate its cultural message, thereby reinforcing the values of national identity and heritage.
The summer program in North Al Batinah is held in several governorate wilayats, including Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Suwaiq, to accommodate a total of 240 beneficiaries. The Learning Centre hosts the first program's activities at the National Museum for the age group of 6 to 11 years from July 6 to July 10, while the second and third programs are held in the Learning Centre corner in Al Mouj Muscat for school students (12 to 16 years) and college and university students, respectively, from July 13 to July 17 and July 24, with a total of 260 beneficiaries.
It is significant to point out that the National Museum's Learning Centre is the first of its type in the Sultanate of Oman. It is equipped to the highest international standards and offers a variety of educational programs designed to raise public awareness about Omani heritage, including the following: School Visits Program, Colleges and Universities Program, Family Program, Community Awareness Program, Continuing Education Program, People with Disabilities Program, and Children's Literature Reading Series Program. These programs raise all visitor groups' interest in Oman's rich history.
