Bahla in contention to be named ’International City of Handicrafts’

Bahla has been nominated to be titled the ‘International City of Handcrafts’, the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) announced.

After fulfilling the standards and requirements approved by the World Crafts Council, the city of Bahla was selected for the title.

A delegation from the World Crafts Council is expected to visit the Sultanate on July 21st and 22nd in order to evaluate Bahla city in Dakhliya governorate.
 

The delegation includes the head of the World Crafts Council of the Asia-Pacific Region and other members of the Council whom will attend a number of craft activities in Bahla including a visual presentation about the craft.

The delegation will also visit some significant sites in Bahla such as the pottery training centre, the site dedicated to establish the Generations College for Handicrafts Sciences and Traditional Occupations, the ancient Bahla Oasis project, listed as a global cultural heritage in the Sultanate, and the Salut archaeological site.


 

They will also visit sites in which soil is used for pottery as well as some pottery factories.

Choosing the Sultanate, specifically Bahla, is a result of the Sultanate’s efforts in the development of the art sector as well as a result of the generous care this sector receives from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

"The PACI is keen to collaborate with different organizations and institutions specialized in handcrafts to build channels of communication with all the international and regional parties concerned with the preservation of the cultural heritage," a statement said.