Over 80 Historic Artefacts Displayed as Oman Marks 40 Years of Ties with Russia

Oman Showcases Kremlin Masterpieces in Exhibition on Russia and the Middle East

Muscat: On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Russian Federation, the National Museum today inaugurated the exhibition “Russia and the Middle East: International Relations and Cultural Influences”, featuring masterpieces from the Moscow Kremlin Museums collection.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of HH Sayyedah Dr. Mona bint Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University for International Cooperation and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum.

The exhibition builds on the ongoing cultural collaboration between Oman and Russia. In July 2024, the National Museum inaugurated the exhibition “The Splendor of Silver: Treasures from the Omani Court” at the Moscow Kremlin Museums, showcasing the heritage of Omani silver craftsmanship and a selection of artefacts belonging to the Sultans of Oman in Muscat and Zanzibar.

The new exhibition brings together more than 80 historical and artistic artefacts, some displayed outside the Russian Federation for the first time, and others never before exhibited beyond the Kremlin walls. The collection includes weapons, armour, horse adornments and decorative artworks originating from various Eastern cultures, preserved for centuries in Russian treasuries before becoming part of the renowned Armory Chamber Museum.

A central theme of the exhibition highlights the influence of Eastern art on the jewellery and weapon workshops of the Russian royal court in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as on royal customs of the period. The exhibition also sheds light on the use of Frankincense from Oman, historically imported to Russia, reflecting deep-rooted cultural connections. The exhibition will remain open until 3 April 2026.

Addressing the ceremony, Oleg Vladimirovich Levin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Sultanate of Oman, said that cultural cooperation between the two countries continues to grow, reflecting the strength of bilateral ties. He noted that hosting this Kremlin Museums exhibition marks an important milestone in the shared cultural journey and illustrates both nations’ commitment to preserving heritage and promoting cultural exchange. He expressed hope that the exhibition would further strengthen intellectual and cultural bonds.

Dr. Elena Gagarina, General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, said that the exhibition celebrates four decades of diplomatic relations and forms part of the international arts and culture festival “Russian Seasons”, organized by the Russian Government and Ministry of Culture and held in Oman. She noted that the festival contributes significantly to strengthening cultural diplomacy.

She added that this exhibition continues the fruitful partnership between the Kremlin Museums and the National Museum of Oman, recalling the success of the 2024 exhibition “The Splendor of Silver,” which attracted more than 30,000 visitors in Moscow. She expressed hope that the new exhibition would leave a lasting impression on visitors through its unique historical works and further advance cultural dialogue between the two countries.

The Kremlin Museums receive around two million visitors annually, and house more than 160,000 artworks, including over 4,000 pieces permanently displayed in the Armory Chamber. The collections span from the late third millennium BC to the present day, with the largest portion comprising artefacts from medieval and early modern Russian history.