Muscat – The event is scheduled to take place from August 11 to 14 at Al Marooj Theatre in Dhofar Governorate.

The festival aims to attract and motivate Omani singing talents, showcasing their creativity and artistic capabilities. It also seeks to strengthen partnerships between government agencies and the private sector to enrich cultural and artistic activities and promote the festival across various governorates of Oman.
This year, 33 contestants participated, with six qualifying for the final competition. The finalists are Omar Al-Hasani, Abdul Aziz bin Ajeeb bin Arfa Bait Kalib, Hamed Suhail, Nahla Al Mukhainiya, Aisha bint Hafez, and Saif Al Gharabi.

H.E. Sayyid Saeed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture and Chairman of the Main Committee of the Festival, confirmed the Ministry’s readiness for the festival, which returns after a seven-year hiatus. He highlighted that choosing Dhofar Governorate as the host reflects its significant cultural movement and favorable autumn weather during the summer.

His Excellency emphasized the Ministry’s dedication to nurturing young talents, including voice, poetic creativity, and melodic imagination, to enrich culture and art. The festival aligns with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, supporting cultural and artistic production in the Sultanate.

Since its inception in 1994, the Omani Song Festival has been a springboard for Omani artists, gaining fame beyond Oman. His Excellency noted its rich impact on the artistic scene.

The main arbitration committee includes artist Khaled Al-Sheikh, artist Fayez Al-Saeed, and poet Saeed Al Saqlawi. The Omani Song Festival is anticipated to be an artistic phenomenon that stimulates creative works and continues the legacy of Omani song, influenced by pioneers like Hamad Halis Al Sanani Al Suri and Salem Rashid Al Suri.