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While many destinations across the world compete with spectacular skyscrapers, mega-resorts and futuristic attractions, Oman is choosing a different path. The Sultanate is emerging as one of the Middle East’s most distinctive travel destinations by offering something increasingly rare: authenticity.
When people think of Oman, vast deserts, endless coastlines, and ancient forts often come to mind. Yet high above the country's rugged landscape lies one of the Middle East's best-kept secrets—a destination where cool mountain air replaces desert heat, terraced farms cling to dramatic cliffs, and luxury blends seamlessly with nature.
The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is set to return from November 4 to 15, 2026, transforming Expo Centre Sharjah into a global meeting point for literature, culture and creativity. Spanning 12 days, the annual event will welcome readers, authors, publishers, translators and cultural figures from around the world through an extensive programme of talks, workshops and literary events.
As the global art world prepares for one of its most prestigious events, the Venice Biennale 2026, the Middle East once again asserts its growing cultural presence. Representing the Sultanate of Oman, Haitham Al Busafi brings a deeply rooted yet contemporary vision to the international stage.
In Abu Dhabi, a new exhibition is redefining how we perceive comfort, safety, and vulnerability. Hosted at MiZa, Hard Like Tears, Soft Like Glass presents a striking body of work by emerging artist Shamsa Al Omaira, where familiar objects are transformed into unsettling artistic experiences.
There is something about being in the air that makes the soul speak louder. When a woman boards a plane alone, leaving behind her home, family, and responsibilities for a few hours, she enters a rare space of silence and reflection. Suspended between two destinations, she is no longer defined by where she comes from or where she is going. In that moment, she is simply herself.
In Abu Dhabi, inside the light-filled space of Iris Projects, Emirati artist Shamsa Al Omaira transforms loss into something quietly powerful. Her first solo exhibition in more than a decade, Hard like Tears, Soft like Glass, is not simply a show — it is an emotional landscape built from memories, fragments, and healing.
As the Middle East continues to redefine global tourism with futuristic skylines and mega-developments, Oman stands apart—offering a gentler, slower, and more grounded way to experience the region. Rather than chasing spectacle, the Sultanate invites travelers into an atmosphere shaped by nature, craftsmanship, and a deep cultural rhythm that has endured for centuries.
While Oman’s art scene may appear quieter than those of other Gulf nations, its silence conceals a powerful depth. Inside small studios and intimate galleries, a new artistic movement is unfolding—one in which local stories intertwine with global symbolic echoes.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York is currently showcasing a groundbreaking exhibition titled Samia Halaby: Kinetic Paintings, running from May 9 to November 17, 2025. This exhibition is part of MoMA’s First Look series and is located on Floor 3 of the museum
Biennale, UAE, Azza Aboualam
Lebanese artist Omar Mismar made a splash at the Venice Biennale with a series of political mosaics inspired by ancient works, some of which comment on the regime of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad.
Architecture studio Adjaye Associates has revealed its design for a new art gallery at Princeton University that will have numerous entrances to connect it to the campus.
Designed to reach a top-speed of 60 knots, powered by its twin V12, 2,000 horsepower engines, the yacht will be modeled on the Lamborghini Sian.
Architecture firm OMA has completed the Galleria department store in Gwanggyo, South Korea, with a stone facade that has a multifaceted-glass passage cut into it.
A mix of retail and cultural facilities will make up the Wollert Neighbourhood Centre, which OMA has proposed for the town of Whittlesea, Australia.
Four designers from the region, including two Saudis, featured in the prestigious show