College of Arts and Social Sciences Concludes Art Cultural Days with a Grand Final Evening:
The College of Arts and Social Sciences concluded the Art Cultural Days activities with a final evening that embraced a blend of cinematic, musical, and poetic creativity, under the patronage of Professor Mohammed bin Ali Al-Balushi, Chairman of the Cultural Club's Board of Directors, and in the presence of a group of intellectuals and academics.
This evening took place on Wednesday, concluding three days of rich cultural and intellectual activities.
The Art Cultural Days, held February 24, 25 and 26, 2025, witnessed a series of rich events, where thought and art came together in a cultural phenomenon that included exhibitions, lectures, dialogue sessions, workshops, and film screenings, providing participants with the opportunity to interact with contemporary intellectual and cultural issues. The closing evening, held in the Cultural Events Hall, witnessed special moments that expressed the spirit of cooperation and creativity that prevailed throughout the event.
A Cinematic Vision Reflecting Human Depth:
The evening began with a screening of the Omani film "Burning Souls," which presented a creative vision that transcends the traditional image to deeper philosophical and human dimensions. After the screening, the film's director, Yaqoub Al-Khanjari, spoke about the behind-the-scenes of the work, emphasizing that cinematic art is not just a visual luxury, but a window for contemplation and thought.
The screening was followed by a critical reading presented by Dr. Salem bin Hilal Al-Maamari, who reviewed the aesthetic and symbolic dimensions of the film, addressing the concept of childhood as a central element in the work, and comparing it to international films such as Tarkovsky's "Ivan's Childhood" and Abbas Kiarostami's "Where Is the Friend's Home?". He also pointed out the impact of the environment and place in shaping the visual structure of the film, explaining that "Burning Souls" reflects the depth of the relationship between man and nature in a coherent narrative style.
Dr. Salem Al-Maamari summarized the experience of director Yaqoub Al-Khanjari by saying:
"It can be said that the director and his artistic team did not just tell a story, but presented a bold attempt to deliver a visual poem, where his cinematic visions flow in frames characterized by their artistic and aesthetic depth, and their ability to raise questions within the film's theme, making 'Burning Souls' approach poetic cinema, where childhood is an integral part of its heritage and brilliance."
This critical session was moderated by Dr. Ali Al-Riyami, who led the dialogue in a distinctive style, allowing the audience to interact with the various critical visions presented about the film.
A Window to World Cinema:
As part of the celebration of world cinema, the evening witnessed a special screening of the Iranian film "One One Zero" by director Hamid Reza Hemmati, one of the prominent names in Iranian cinema and known for his deep contributions to the global cinematic scene. Yaqoub Al-Khanjari gave an overview of Hemmati's experience, referring to his prominent works such as "Siyah Baz," which was selected in many Iranian and international film festivals and won many awards, and the series "Rouz Khoon," which was shown on the main channel of Iranian television in 2024 and received wide acclaim from the Iranian public, and his participation in international films, including "Golden Cage" and "Lena." He also announced his new project "Nabhan," which will be a distinguished Omani cinematic production.
The Sweetness of Music and the Magic of Poetry:
After the visual creativity, the attendees moved to the world of music, where students from the Department of Music and Musical Sciences presented a musical piece that shone with its sweet melodies, completing the creative scene of the evening.
This was followed by a poetry segment recited by poet Zaher bin Ghosn Al-Sawafi, where his words resonated with a delicate feeling, giving the evening an authentic emotional character, combining artistic beauty and literary depth.
Honoring and Commending the Efforts Made:
At the end of the evening, the participants in the activities were honored, where certificates of thanks and appreciation were distributed to the organizers and creators who enriched these cultural days with their contributions and creations. A souvenir was also presented to the patron of the ceremony in appreciation of his support for cultural activities.
An Ending That Opens Horizons for the Future:
With this closing scene, the activities of the Cultural Literature Days for this year ended, after providing a space for thought and creativity, and a window for cultural renewal. As Yaqoub Al-Khanjari said during the evening:
"When we celebrate creators, we do not only celebrate their successes, but we also appreciate the effort and challenges they faced. Creativity is born only from the womb of suffering, and requires determination and perseverance to remain immortal through time, inspiring future generations." And with farewell, the passion continues for future seasons that carry more brilliance and excellence in the Omani cultural scene.