SalalahThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth on Sunday launched the ‘Mutawarath’ initiative at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah, introducing a new cultural and artistic platform dedicated to celebrating and preserving Dhofar’s rich heritage while presenting it through contemporary creative expression.

The initiative aims to provide a vibrant space that brings together artists, cultural practitioners and young talents to showcase traditional arts and reinterpret inherited cultural elements through modern artistic perspectives. Officials said the platform seeks to strengthen engagement with heritage among younger generations while promoting creative dialogue around Oman’s cultural identity.

The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of H H Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, and was attended by a number of officials and cultural figures from across the governorate.

The programme featured a series of informational panels presenting the cultural and artistic themes of the initiative, including displays highlighting the symbolism of the Dhofari incense burner, its historical development and the role of women in its craftsmanship. A large artwork measuring 7m in width and 2.5m in height depicting Dhofar’s natural landscape was also unveiled.

Workshops and training programmes were introduced as part of the initiative, aimed at equipping young participants with skills in traditional Dhofari pottery-making, helping to ensure the transmission of the craft to future generations.

Maryam bint Ahmed Al Mashani, founder of the Mutawarath cultural art project, said the initiative seeks to revive Dhofari heritage through a contemporary vision and support efforts to nominate the Dhofari incense burner for inclusion on Unesco’s list of intangible cultural heritage.

She added that the project aims to present traditional crafts in modern artistic forms, transforming heritage elements into interactive visual experiences while also supporting cultural identity and encouraging academic documentation and study of local heritage.

According to Maryam, the project includes around 200 artworks and 20 specialised training workshops totalling 545 hours, delivered by 20 expert trainers.

The Mutawarath initiative is envisioned as an artistic and cultural space in Dhofar that blends the authenticity of the region’s heritage with contemporary art, supporting local talent and turning cultural traditions into innovative creative works.