Feast for the Eyes and Ears

MELA 4, DAY FOUR (Part 2): 10 MARCH 2013

This evening the amphitheater of the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort is the scene for the Cultural  Exchange: a chance for MELA friends to share an aspect of their history, culture or traditions that also reflects their identity as leaders from their respective countries. 

The MELA 4 Omanis have laid on an entertainment feast for the eyes and ears of the assembled company. They have brought along traditional musicians playing the drums and the habban (bagpipes) who get things started.

An Omani wedding procession gets underway. GCC friends join in.

Enter the bride and groom. It's Amer and Zainab!

The famous Omani frankincense — feast for the nose — in the hands of the famous Omani ladies Eman and Manal.

After demonstrating how to cook it, Riyadh and Abbas lure an innocent foreigner to taste the halwa on the false assurance that it is low-fat. Adam is taught the two-finger method of eating Omani halwa.

It's a big bowl  —  there is enough halwa for everyone!

Wassim and Jaafar culturally exchange over their smartphones.

Shadi's presentation reminds the audience of Palestine's rich social, intellectual, religious and national history.

The Jordanian and UAE teams combine to tell the story of an international betrothal.

The Emirati groom's male relatives travel to Jordan to request the bride's hand from her family representatives.

Happy ending — permission is given! Abeer and Ahmad are the heroes of this cross-cultural drama.

Youmna (accompanied by Adib) describe Lebanon through the lens of beautiful Beirut before and after the civil war.

Nada and Ahmed prepare to get the crowd dancing to the Egyptian beat.

Rapping Egyptian style. Shadi lends a hand (and a stick).

The United States celebrates its diverse cultural make-up and the heritage of its citizens... 

Ecco, the Italians.

Jawohl, the Germans with their beer steins.

नमस्ते — Namaste, sons and daughters of the subcontinent. 

Abraham Lincoln himself makes a special appearance in Muscat.

One cheer for Saudi-French friendship!

Two cheers for Saudi-Indian friendship!

Three cheers for the fabulous performers and supporters of the MELA 4 Cultural Exchange!