MUSCAT — As Oman waits with baited breath to view the first of its kind exhibition where 100 original Rembrandt prints will be shown at the Afrah Ballroom of Grand Hyatt from August 19, connoisseurs of art should be grateful to the Sultanate’s oldest library — Al Salmi Library — for initiating this remarkable project.

Al Salmi Library is presenting the Rembrandt in Oman exhibition, which will end on September 19.

Though Al Salmi Library has been around for more than 100 years, not many are aware of its existence or the richness of its past.

Narrating the story of how the library came into being, Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says: “The library was started by my grandfather Noor Aldeen Al Salmi. He was born in 1867. We presume that the library started taking shape sometime in 1887.”

The library initially was part of the school that Noor Aldeen Al Salmi founded.

A teacher of language, history, religion and various other subjects, Noor Aldeen Al Salmi’s love for books and manuscripts was legendary.

Turning point

In fact, in recognition of Noor Aldeen Al Salmi’s effort to spread knowledge and education His Majesty Sultan Faisal bin Turky granted him 500 silver karz in 1895.

“This was a real turning point in establishing Al Salmi Library. My grandfather immediately travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. He used the entire silver karz given to him to buy books on various topics. That is when we can say the library got its first large consignment of books,” according to Abdullah Salem Al Salmi.

“The library stands testimony to the fact that Noor Aldeen Al Salmi was always collecting reference books for his school and himself. The great man has writings to his credit too,” says the founder’s grandson.

Al Salmi Library was established in Rustaq, then it was moved to Manah, from there to Al Mudaibi, then Al Kabil and finally to Bidiya village (Al Muntar) where it now stands.

The library moved to the Bidiya village in the early 1970s. In 1984, Sheikh Mohammed, son of the founder, built a special building to house the library. “The one-storey building is an architectural marvel. It has all the facilities of a library including a reading area where people can come, sit and read,” informs Abdullah Salem Al Salmi.

During the year of heritage in Oman in 1994, Al Salmi Library won a special prize from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The privately-owned library enjoys the moral support of the government. “We are under the supervision of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture. We are recognised for the special service we render to society,” says Abdullah Salem Al Salmi.

Al Salmi Library consists of four sections: one, a section housing letters and documents (mainly exchanges between prominent personalities through history), second is the manuscripts section (700 manuscripts, valuable ones collected from Oman and the region), third is the old printed references (over 6,000 pieces) and fourth is the collection of old valuable items from Oman (different things used in various periods, swords and khanjars).

Rare manuscripts

“Majority of the manuscripts we have are not available anywhere else,” says Abdullah Salem Al Salmi. While the library has adopted a scientific method to preserve all the contents, every manuscript and document has been digitally scanned.

“That way we don’t have to worry about any damage coming to these priceless pieces,” Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says.

Visitors to the library, Abdullah informs, come from as far as from Europe, Germany, Italy and the UK.

“They are mainly researchers and have heard of the library through sources,” Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says.

“Most of what is available is in Arabic. Of course, those coming from abroad either know Arabic or bring along help to translate,” Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says. The library is open to the public locally and many interested visitors are often seen thronging the place.

“There is, of course, no take away facility for the books,” he adds.

The Al Salmi family wants to see the library grow.

“We are the third generation of the family taking care and running the library. There are no directors but we are all passionate about preserving it for the future generations of Oman. We want it to grow,” says Abdullah Salem Al Salmi.

Plans for museum

Plans are in the offing to attach a full fledged museum to the library. Besides, family members keep on adding to the collection by picking up rare manuscripts from abroad and various places in Oman.

No worth can be put for the collection at the Al Salmi Library. “It is priceless,” says Abdullah Salem Al Salmi. The library has also supported in publishing new titles and books.

“Al Salmi is not just a library; we believe it is a knowledge institute. We have supported and will continue supporting publishing ventures,” Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says.

Al Salmi Library is now excited in having the opportunity in bringing Rembrandt to Oman. “Our library is not just a place which houses books of religious, cultural and historical interest. Our idea is to open our culture to others and understand others’ cultures. We think that it is a way to bring harmony to our society. That way we increase our knowledge. By bringing Rembrandt we will be exposing our people to the outside world,” says Abdullah Salem Al Salmi.

The library has plans to bring more such works. “Probably next time some work from the East — may be Japan and Asia,” informs Abdullah.

“Everybody rightly considers Rembrandt to be a great virtuoso and it is a privilege for Al Salmi to present his work. He produced more than 300 prints over a period of forty years. His etchings were always eagerly collected, and commanded high prices even during his own lifetime. His bold experiments with etching techniques is something art lovers in Oman should see. To be the first in the Middle East to host him is a great privilege,” Abdullah Salem Al Salmi says.