Muscat: Oman is currently taking part in the London Design Biennale 2025, which runs until June 29. Representing Oman is the striking installation Memory Network by engineer and designer Haitham Al Busafi, which has been awarded Best Design among international participants.

Organised under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the participation aligns with the goals of the Cultural Strategy 2021–2040 and Oman Vision 2040. The ministry aims to promote Oman’s creative talents while positioning the Sultanate as a key player in global cultural dialogues.

Ibrahim bin Saif Bani Araba, Assistant Director General for Arts, emphasized that the ministry’s participation reflects a strategic and forward-looking vision to empower Omani youth and build international recognition of the nation’s cultural richness.

As part of this approach, Haitham Al Busafi was selected to design the artwork, while the youth-led Zawraq Group was assigned as evaluator for the Omani pavilion—both significant examples of youth empowerment in cultural initiatives. Speaking after receiving the award, Al Busafi expressed pride and gratitude, calling the recognition a “historic moment” for Oman.

Memory Network is a conceptual and immersive installation that reimagines traditional Omani pottery in transparent, machine-made forms, evoking data networks and modern digital storage. The setup, which resembles the architecture of a data center, symbolizes the fragility of digital memory and the cost of preserving heritage in the information age. “It is a living archive,” said Al Busafi, “inviting visitors to add their memories and be part of a shared narrative.”

Zaima Al-Adawiya, commenting on Zawraq Group’s involvement, highlighted the significance of offering youth platforms at major artistic forums, describing it as both a tool and a milestone in youth empowerment.