Qurum - the district that suffered extensive damage during tropical cyclone Gonu last June - has been transformed into a pulsating area by the organisers of the ninth Muscat Festival.
The wadi bed that was most severely flooded has been turned into a quad-bike racing track that attracts huge numbers of youngsters.
Every evening the popular malls in the adjacent business district reverberate to the sounds of several bands.
An impressive stage has been created between two malls in the middle of the commercial area and the stage is built in a such a way that it can be seen from every corner of the area.
No less than 40 speakers ensure that the lyrics belted out by famous Arabic singers and bands can be heard by everyone.
The popular Arabic band Four Cats Bands was the first to perform followed by the Miami Band from Kuwait and Ariam.
While visitors enjoy the non-stop evening entertainment, retailers offer heavy discounts as part of the festival, making it double delight in the Qurum Business District.
Back in shape
Not far from the singing and dancing in the shopping area is Qurum Nature Park, which opened to the public on the first day of the festival on January 21 after being hit hard by cyclone Gonu.
It is hard to believe the manner in which Muscat Municipality has put the site back in shape. One may dare say it looks even better after reconstruction.
The aroma of Omani cuisine being prepared and wafting across the park draws visitors to the Heritage Village like bees to honey.
The Heritage Village has been a most sought-after venue at the Muscat Festival for nine years.
Omani women in colourful traditional costumes come to the Heritage Village from villages across the country and sit on an elevated stage amid stoves, cooking ingredients and their own recipes that are truly inviting, like the smoke that rises from their traditional stoves.
The bagpipes, traditional drums and Omani folk dancers are the other major attractions of the Heritage Village, especially for the large number of Western tourists.
"It is truly remarkable and a journey into the lives of traditional Omani people," said Michael Briggs, from the UK.
At the Heritage Village, age-old Omani crafts such as model shipbuilding, wicker basketmaking, weaving, pottery and others are demonstrated.
Bustling
The International Craft Market bustles with life as artisans from Yemen, Syria, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt demonstrate their skills at the shops they have set up in the market.
The Festival Plaza on the outskirts of Muscat is teeming with shoppers looking for products from around the world. And there's plenty to find with nearly 40 countries taking part in the international trade fair.
The Festival Plaza also gives children an opportunity to demonstrate their talent on a stage where they can perform skits, songs and dances to entertain visitors.
"This is my first Muscat Festival and I am delighted that we will get a chance to perform a group dance on this big stage," said ninth-grade Indian School Muscat student Aishwarya Kumar, who arrived in Oman this year.
Thrill seeking
Elsewhere there are circus shows and dance and magic shows by international groups daily at the Festival Plaza stage.
Thrill seekers have plenty of choices at the Azaiba Festival Plaza with hair-rasing rides.
The newest venue of the Festival is Al Sahwa Park but this breathtaking garden is open only to families, children and women.
The park has unique landscaping and the swaying fountains and expansive frontage of the fountain area add to its beauty.
A waterfall forms the backdrop for the stage of the amphitheatre where musical shows are held daily.
Festival Facts
- Entry to Al Shawa Park – one of the new venues – is restricted to women, children and families.
- Two new venues have been added to this year's Muscat Festival.
- At the Qurum Nature Park and Festival Plaza, a nominal entry fee of 200 baizas (Dh2) is charged.
- Every Friday, popular Arabic singers perform at Seeb Beach where thousands throng to enjoy a weekend of entertainment.
- A new stage between two malls in the Qurum Business District is another site where popular Arabic bands perform.
- Concerts and shows by Arabic as well as Indian artists are also held at the lakeside theatre in Qurum Nature Park.
- Last year, 2.3 million visitors came to the festival.
The Muscat Festival, held every year, aims to celebrate heritage, culture and entertainment. - Entry to the Global Village, Qurum Nature Park, costs 200 baizas (Dh2).
- There are four venues hosting the festival daily and Seeb Beach hosts activities every weekend.
The festival continues until February 15.