Bahla a contender for the status of ‘International City of Handicrafts’

Muscat: Bahla is in the race to be named the ‘International City of Handcrafts’, the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) has announced.
After fulfilling the standards and requirements approved by the World Crafts Council, the city of Bahla was selected as a contender 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 in the Dakhiliyah Governorate.
The delegation includes the head of the World Crafts Council of the Asia-Pacific Region as well as other members who will attend a number of craft activities in Bahla including a visual presentation about the area’s crafts.
Visit
The World Crafts Council delegation will also visit some significant sites in Bahla such as the pottery training centre, the site dedicated to establishing 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.
Bahla’s achievement in being chosen for this competition is the result of the Sultanate’s efforts in the development of the art sector as well as the generous support 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.