Bidiyah Hosts 17th Poetry and Folk Heritage Forum

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, October 28, 2026

The town of Bidiyah in Oman hosted the 17th Poetry and Folk Heritage Forum, bringing together poets, researchers, and artists to celebrate traditional Omani poetry, arts, and cultural practices. The event highlighted efforts to preserve and transmit Oman’s cultural identity, emphasizing the historical significance of traditions like camel caravans and Arabian horse heritage for future generations.

The town of Bidiyah, located in Oman’s Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, recently hosted the 17th Poetry and Folk Heritage Forum, a two-day event dedicated to celebrating and preserving the Sultanate’s rich cultural legacy. The forum convened poets, researchers, and enthusiasts of traditional Omani arts to engage in a series of poetry readings, exchanges, and impromptu poetic duels, alongside performances of customary art forms such as Razha, Al Azi, and Al Zafin.

Organizers emphasized the event’s importance in maintaining and strengthening Oman’s national identity through the continued practice and appreciation of its intangible cultural heritage. Rabee bin Mallah bin al Marhabi, Deputy Chairman of the Literary Council for Poetry and Folk Heritage, highlighted the forum’s role in connecting contemporary audiences with Oman’s historic poetic and artistic traditions, underscoring their place as vital elements of the country’s cultural memory.

Throughout the forum, discussion sessions explored various aspects of Bidiyah’s historical background, including its agricultural practices and trading activities. Particular attention was given to the role of camel caravans, which historically served as crucial links between communities by facilitating the transportation of goods across the region.

Hamad bin Hamdan al Hajri led a session focused on the heritage of Arabian horses, covering topics such as their breeding, training, and the customs linked to horsemanship and horse racing. Complementing this, researcher Said bin Amer al Hajri examined camel breeding and caravan routes, emphasizing the social and economic importance of camels and the customs associated with their use. In addition, Mohammed bin Amer al Hajri shared personal recollections of traditional caravan operations, highlighting their significance in transporting food supplies and enabling trade between inland and coastal areas.

The forum also featured competitions in traditional folk arts targeted at both youth and adults, promoting the active transmission of these cultural practices to future generations. Overall, the event underlined Oman’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage through community engagement and scholarly exploration.

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