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Preparations are well underway for Oman's biggest festival which takes place in the country's capital Muscat.

The aptly named Muscat Festival is an annual event that focuses on culture and tourism, and officials are promising that this year's will be bigger and better than ever.

Last year, the festival saw record numbers attend the festival, with 2.2m turning out, but organisers are confident that this figure can be surpassed.

Muscat has been named the Arab Culture Capital 2006, and in keeping with this title, the Muscat Festival is to focus on heritage and culture.

'Muscat Festival has always been a window to showcase the cultural richness of the country, and this year too the emphasis will be on the various aspects of our culture, past and present,' Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, president of Muscat, told the Khaleej Times.

'There is a special significance to the festival this time, because it coincides with Muscat's celebrations as the Arab Cultural Capital for 2006. So the programmes and events will particularly focus on the city's rich heritage and culture.'

The major attractions at the event will include an Oman cultural village, Arabian markets, international theatre, and a forum of peoples' cultures.

'This year's festival will have a lot of new features that makes it even more interesting than its predecessors. The Heritage Village in Qurum will have a completely new and refurbished look,' added Mr Ahmed.

The festival is being held between 1 January and 2 February 2007, meaning people taking a holiday in Oman in the new year will be able to attend.

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