Emirates News Agency – 3rd Abu Dhabi Manuscript Conference begins

ABU DHABI, 7th December, 2022 (WAM) — The first day of the third Abu Dhabi Manuscript Conference, organized by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, kicked off this morning and runs through December 8 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.

The conference, titled “Arabic Manuscripts from East to West: Examples from Spain and Italy”, was organized by DCT Abu Dhabi in coordination with the National Marciana Library of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the University Library of Bologna, Italy, the National Library of Spain Library and the Royal Library of San Lorenzo El Escorial.
HE Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, HE Irina Sanchís Vives, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Spanish Embassy, ​​and guests from Italy, Spain and throughout the Arab world.
DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed the participants, noting the importance of the conference as a groundbreaking platform through which valuable historical Arabic manuscripts are discussed in the fields of literature, heritage, religion, music, philosophy, science and more. She also emphasized that these manuscripts demonstrate the enormous influence of Arab culture and civilization on Europe and its role in creating groundbreaking civilizational and intellectual bridges that paved the way for European renaissance.
The ministry noted that the meeting reaffirmed the pioneering cultural and civilizing role of the UAE, and in particular the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in the preservation and dissemination of authentic Arab heritage and the realization of cultural and civil development, which is a key pillar of sustainable development. This is in line with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to promote culture and build a knowledge-based society, as an educated society is the cornerstone of the country’s sustainable development.
The department also noted that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has achieved groundbreaking cultural achievements in the fields of art, museums, culture and human history, further cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a pioneering cultural and artistic center in the world.
Four sessions were held on the first day of the conference. The first discussion, “Arabic Cultural Influences on Europe (Spain and Italy)”, was moderated by Dr. Salah Jarrar. Dr Biltaji Ahmed Mohamed, Dr Antonella Ghersetti and Dr Ayman Mohammed Maida participated in the meeting. Participants discussed three research papers: “The Influence of the Arabic Language on Spanish Literature”, “The Arabic Alphabet and Italian Narrative Texts”, and “The Influence of the Arabic Maqamat in Spanish Stories (The Tramps)”.
Dr. Bilal Orfali moderated the second session entitled “Exchange of Civilizations and the Transcontinental Movement of Arabic Manuscripts from East to West (Italy and Spain)” with the participation of Dr. Abdul Razzaq Marzouk, Dr. Mayte Penelas and Dr. Ida Zilio-Grandi and Dr. Mohammad Kamal Judd. During the conference, participants discussed four research papers: “The First Arabic Manuscripts Printed in Spain”, “The Dissemination and Dissemination of Andalusian Manuscripts Between the Two Coasts of the Mediterranean”, “The Significance of Literary Exchange between East and West Focusing on Dante’s Divine Comedy, and “Efforts in the UAE to Conserve the Manuscript”.
The third discussion, “Realizing Arab Heritage through Italian and Spanish Orientalism”, was moderated by Ms. Aisha Obaid Al Muhairi. Dr. Mohamed Aliwa, Dr. Abdul Rahim Al-Sharfi, Dr. Mehran Al Zoubi and Dr. Hussam Mukhtar Al-Abadi participated in the conference, previewing four papers entitled “The efforts of the contemporary Spanish Arabists in achievement Arab legacy”, “Orientalism’s contribution to Influences in Forming and Improving Relations Between Western and Arabic Manuscripts”, “Spanish Orientalist Francisco Cudera (1836-1917) and His Efforts to Spread the Arab Heritage in Spain”, and “The Andalusian The influence of heritage on scientific research in Spain”.
The fourth and final session was on the topic: Translation of Arabic Manuscripts in Italy and Spain, moderated by Dr. Moussa El Hawary. Dr. Salah Jarrar, Dr. Mrizn Asiri and Mr. Murad Taghout participated in the fourth session to discuss research papers entitled “Translation of Arabic Manuscripts in the Literary Field”, “Toledo Institute of Translation and Its Implications for Medicine and Science” in Europe”, and “European translations of some Arabic medical books”.
During the conference, the Pearl of Wisdom exhibition opened yesterday (6th December 2022) at Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition will take visitors on a historical journey to explore the influence of Arab culture on Europe, highlighting the role of Arab civilization in fostering religious dialogue and contributing knowledge that paved the way for the European Renaissance.