Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Omani sailors from the Shabab Oman II yacht who travelled to Norway to take part in the 2019 Tall Ships Races have made friends from all over the world due to their friendliness and hospitality, the cornerstones of Omani culture.
The Shabab Oman II, which was commissioned by the Royal Navy of Oman to spread the Sultanate’s message of peace, mutual understanding and cooperation across the world, was in Fredrikstad in Norway to take part in the competition, alongside sailing crews from other countries, including Denmark, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Sweden, France, Finland, Poland, Spain, and of course, hosts Norway themselves.
During the traditional march of the crews that was part of the event, the Omani sailors, some of them clad in their crisp navy-blue uniforms, others in traditional, flowing white dishdashas, sang and danced to the tunes of traditional Omani bagpipers, much to the amusement and amazement of those who had come to take in the pageantry and pomp of the event.
While in Norway, the sailors on the Shabab Oman II welcomed visitors who wished to explore the yacht as well as experience Omani culture.
“In an atmosphere of familiarity, love and brotherhood, in order to achieve understanding and co-operation between the various crews that came from all over the world, a breakfast meeting was organised on board the Shabab Oman II for sailors from ships participating in the festival in the city of Frederikstad, Norway,” said a spokesperson for the yacht.
The ship also pulled into Aalborg, in Denmark, where they once again showcased traditional Omani values in a march past. Despite the cold winds and driving rain, the sailors continued on their parade route and interacted with the locals and visitors who had come to see the ship in port.
“Glory on the horizon looms, as do tales of history and origins,” said a spokesperson for the yacht. “The Shabab Oman II participated in the city festival of Aalborg in Denmark, as a representative of the Sultanate, which aims to be a leader in representing the best of the people, and to put its name in the records of international achievements.”
The Omani ship took part in the Tall Ships Races 2019 in Aalborg, Denmark, before heading to Fredrikstad and Bergen in Norway, before returning to Denmark and ending at the port of Aarhus on 1 August.
Commenting on the event, Paul Bishop, the Head of Race Directorate at Sail Training International, the organisation that set up the race, said, “The race series will not only give trainees a variety of sail training experiences to choose from, it offers attractive options for many international vessel operators and a strong base for trainee recruitment.”
