Omani Artists Participate as Guests of Honour in Manama Exhibition

Manama:  The “Ports” (Marafea) exhibition by the Omani Art Ambassadors team opened this evening in Manama as part of the Colors of the East International Art Exhibition 2026, held in celebration of Bahraini Diplomatic Day.

The exhibition was inaugurated under the patronage of His Excellency Faisal bin Harib Al Busaidi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The Colors of the East International Art Exhibition is regarded as one of the leading art events in the region, featuring the participation of artists from more than 30 countries and showcasing diverse artistic experiences that reflect the richness of human cultures and the variety of artistic schools and styles.

The Omani Art Ambassadors team is participating in this edition as guest of honour, underscoring its growing cultural and artistic standing at both regional and international levels.

During the event, the logo of the team’s international mobile exhibition “Marafea” was officially launched. The name was inspired by the concept of ports as meeting points for dialogue and cultural exchange, symbolising openness and communication between cultures through art. The “Marafea” project aims to present the Omani artistic experience across multiple cultural destinations inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman.

The exhibition features works by 19 Omani artists, whose contributions reflect Omani cultural identity through contemporary artistic expressions, enriching the visual content of this international event.

The opening ceremony included a speech delivered by visual artist Samia bint Salem Al-Gharibiya, Secretary of the Omani Art Ambassadors team, on behalf of the members. She stated that the “Ports” exhibition embodies the team’s vision of presenting Omani art as a cultural bridge between peoples, noting that selecting the Kingdom of Bahrain as the first stop of the travelling exhibition carries historical and cultural significance.

For his part, Dr. Saud bin Nasser Al-Hunaini, Head of the Omani Art Ambassadors team, expressed pride in the team’s participation as guest of honour, describing it as a key stage in the team’s journey. He explained that the “Marafea” project forms part of a strategic vision aimed at strengthening the international presence of Omani art and enhancing the role of art in cultural dialogue.

Meanwhile, Engineer Mahdi Al-Jalawi, organiser of the Colors of the East International Art Exhibition, said that the exhibition serves as a global artistic platform. He praised the Omani Art Ambassadors team for the quality of its artistic contributions, noting that the team added clear cultural value to the exhibition through works that reflect authentic identity with a contemporary perspective.