Oman has laid the foundation stone for a major cultural complex project, being developed on a 400,000-sq-m plot in capital Muscat at an investment of RO147.8 million ($383 million), reported Oman News Agency. 

 

The Oman Cultural Complex project houses many institutions and facilities, including the National Library, the National Theatre, Children’s Public Library, the House of Arts, the House of Cinema, the Literary Forum and the National Records and Archives Authority. 

 

A building of about 80,200 sq m, the complex also comprises restaurants, cafeterias and a public park.

 

The key ceremony for the Oman Cultural Complex and the building of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) at the Airport Heights in Muscat Governorate was presided over by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.

 

Oman Cultural Complex seeks to promote cultural, literary, theatrical and research activities through the enhancement of relevant programmes aimed to expand the scope of engagement in highlighting Oman’s cultural heritage and exploring the country’s accomplishments, said the ONA report.

 

The complex will provide services to scholars and researchers. It will help organise cultural events and programmes to develop vistas of cultural action that will focus on Oman’s history and cultural identity.