Dutch photographer documents Oman’s ‘renaissance’ years |

MUSCAT –

Historic images of Oman ranging from 52 years in the past have been introduced to the Sultanate by the Dutch photographer who took them.

Erik van Scherpenzeel first visited the nation in June 1970, arriving simply three weeks earlier than the late Sultan Qabous got here to the throne. He was enchanted by what he discovered. Thereafter, he spent 4 years within the sultanate,  taking 1000’s of images recording individuals and locations within the governorates, photos which mirrored the social, cultural and heritage of the nation, along with its geographical, topographical and geological options.

“Life within the Sultanate of Oman was marvellous and Omani individuals have been mild, noble, sociable and truthful of their friendship,” mentioned Scherpenzeel noting that he might transfer freely within the fascinating panorama and that he might even sleep safely on the golden dunes.

He  mentioned he might nonetheless keep in mind his go to to Sur and the lengthy journey to the easterly wilayat from Muscat on a four-wheel car on the tough roads. In every single place he went, he might observe Omani individuals’s devotion to Islam and Arabian habits and traditions of hospitality.

The Dutchman made a second go to to Oman within the Nineteen Nineties by which he recorded the placing modernisation that had occurred to a rustic with which he had fallen in love. His images from this keep have been mixed along with his earlier work in a group entitled  “Oman, Previous and Current.”