Venice, Italy – Oman officially inaugurated its national pavilion at the 61st Venice International Art Biennale in Italy on Wednesday. The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of H E Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and attended by various international dignitaries and artists. This year’s participation features a significant immersive installation titled “Zeina,” which seeks to bridge Omani intangible heritage with contemporary artistic expression. This initiative highlights the nation’s commitment to Oman Vision 2040 by enhancing its presence on the global cultural stage and fostering international dialogue.

The Omani pavilion presents an artistic project by artist and curator Haitham Al Busafi, who drew inspiration from the “Zanah” tradition of silver horse ornamentation. The installation provides a sensory experience where visitors interact with elements of sand, silver, and sound. By walking on a sandy floor that evokes the Omani environment, guests trigger suspended silver configurations to produce changing sounds. This collective work, which involved students and artists, reinterprets the desert and equestrian history as philosophical spaces for creativity. The pavilion serves as a contemporary statement on the role of culture in building civilizational bridges and empowering local talent.