Muscat – Bait al Zubair, one of Oman’s most popular museums, will expand its mission to promote culture and heritage.

On Monday, museum officials announced the creation of Bait al Zubair Institute of Culture and Knowledge (BAZICK) focused on education and training. This marks a new chapter for the museum, which has traditionally concentrated on arts and heritage, by broadening its efforts to enhance cultural education and foster knowledge exchange.

BAZICK will strive to disseminate the Arabic language and culture among non-native speakers both within and outside the sultanate, as well as introduce foreign languages and cultures to the Omani community. The goal is to foster open-minded individuals who value their authenticity and identity while respecting others and their cultures, thereby contributing to the building of a harmonious world characterised by peace.

A key feature of this initiative is a collaboration with Dante Alighieri Institute, which is known for its expertise in Italian language instruction. The partnership aims to encourage cultural exchange between Oman and Italy, offering Italian language courses as a means to deepen the historical and cultural ties between the two countries. It seeks to serve as a gateway for exploring the rich legacies of both nations while contributing to a broader global cultural heritage.

Dr Muna bint Hebras, General Manager of Bait al Zubair Foundation, spoke of the importance of the new direction at the announcement. “This partnership with Dante Alighieri Institute reflects our commitment to nurturing cross-cultural ties and enriching our community’s knowledge,” she said. “By merging two diverse cultural legacies, we aim to create a platform for global understanding and cooperation.”

The collaboration with Dante Alighieri Institute is expected to enhance Oman’s cultural connections with Italy and the wider world through language education.