Muscat: The National Museum launched the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme, organised by the museum's Learning Centre, with support from bp Oman, to enhance participating students' awareness of national identity and consolidate the values of Omani cultural heritage.
The summer programme targets three age groups: children (6 to 11 years old), school students (12 to 16 years old), and college and university students.
During the current month of July, a number of artistic and interactive sessions inspired by the National Museum’s collections will be implemented to contribute to developing the participants’ skills and stimulating their creative abilities.
Amina bint Abdullah Al Abri, Head of the Learning Centre at the National Museum, explained that the 'Our Summer: Heritage and Identity' programme is one of the annual initiatives the Learning Centre is keen to implement, aiming to instill the values of national identity and strengthen young people's connection to their cultural heritage through a creative and experimental approach that embodies the intersection of art and heritage.
She pointed out that the National Museum is participating in the "Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity" programme in North Al Batinah Governorate, in cooperation with the Governor's Office, from July 6 to 10, 2025, through a group of artistic sessions organised by the Learning Centre within the framework of the Community Awareness Programme and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme, and includes various fields, such as colouring, traditional architecture, and the history of Omani maritime navigation.
She stated that the programme aims to instill national identity in the new generation through artistic educational methods that combine enjoyment and knowledge, as part of the National Museum's efforts to enhance its presence outside its premises and convey its cultural message, contributing to consolidating the values of national identity and heritage.
The summer programme in North Al Batinah is held in a number of governorate’s wilayats, namely: Sohar, Liwa, Shinas, Saham, Al Khabourah, and Suwaiq, to include (240) beneficiaries, while the Learning Centre implements the activities of the first programme at the headquarters of the National Museum for the age group (6-11 years) during the period from July 6-10, while the second and third programmes are implemented in the Learning Centre corner in Al Mouj Muscat, for the category of school students (12-16 years) and college and university students, respectively from (July 13-17) and from (July 20-24), to include (260) beneficiaries.
It is worth noting that the Learning Centre at the National Museum is the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. It is equipped according to the highest international standards and offers various educational programmes aimed at raising public awareness about Omani heritage, including: the School Visits Programme, the Colleges and Universities Programme, the Family Programme, the Community Awareness Programme, the Continuing Education Programme, the People with Disabilities Programme, and the Children's Literature Reading Series Programme. These programmes generate increased interest among all visitor categories in Oman's rich history.