www.timesof oman.com All roads will lead to Al Felaij Castle Theatre before the end of this month. This famous castle theatre, which transforms into a major hub of Omani cultural and arts activities during the tourism season, will once again reverberate with major activities.

Tourism authorities have requested art, music and theatre lovers to mark these dates on their calendar and to be part of the scene in an enthusiastic manner.

The first event will be held on November 28, and it will be a Sufi song-poetry session.

Lebanese Jahidah Wahbah, will bring in a new dimension to Sufi poetry. She will dip into the magnificent Sufi poetry treasures, classical as well as modern poetry.

Although, this engagement is a new experience for Jahidah, she has still displayed her remarkable prowess in her earlier performances with popular classical and original Arabic singing at Al Felaij in February, last year. Jahidah had also participated in the theatrical, poetical show, the Rain Chant, a famous poem by Badr Shakir Sayyab, produced and directed by Jawad Asadi in January, last year.

Jahidahأ¢â‚¬â„¢s songs are captivated with Sufiأ¢â‚¬â„¢s love and compassion.

The other events to look forward to include:

Stories, December 6; Gardens, December 26; Andalusias, January 9, 2006; Iraqi Composition, January 31, 2006; The Flamenco, February 14, 2006; Music from Turkey, March 7, 2006 and Seyyid Darwish, March 21, 2006.

أ¢â‚¬إ“All are welcome to attend these programmes,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ Ahmed Al Wahaibi, executive supervisor of this programme and an official of the Ministry of Tourism said.

The doors of Al Felaij will open at 8pm, and all the events will begin at 8.30pm, for all the allocated programmes.

أ¢â‚¬إ“Dates of the theatrical events are subject to change, if the weather conditions become bad. However, rescheduling of the events will be updated in the newspapers as the events go by,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ Ahmed said.

Al Felaij Castle was built towards the end of the 18th century by Imam Seyyid Sultan bin Ahmed bin Said.

The Imam who had love and passion for quarry, dwelled this castle and took refuge for his soul and senses taking advantage of the castleأ¢â‚¬â„¢s faraway distance from the sea and the congested life.

The castle was built in the year 1799 according to the signatures inscribed at the top of the castleأ¢â‚¬â„¢s gate.

The castle is designed in a rectangular shape that incorporates two towers with the height of nine metres each. Inside the castle there is a small mosque and falaj.

The castle itself is situated in such a beautiful place that ensures serenity and calmness that goes hand in hand with the beautiful offerings of nature such as trees and mountains. For these advantages the castle was greatly adored by many.

Al Felaij Castle theatre was the reinaugurated in 1999. This happened after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Saidأ¢â‚¬â„¢s calls for cooperation with the Unesco.

Today, the castle has become a landmark for cultural tourism and indispensable arena for special creative and artistic shows.

The theatre is fully equipped with all the needed instruments for a full theatrical scene.

The theatre organises cultural and poetical theatrical programmes every year from October to March.