The third edition of the Abu Dhabi Manuscripts Conference

The first day of the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Manuscripts Conference, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), kicked off this morning and runs through 8 December at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Held under the theme ‘Arabic Manuscripts from East to West: Spain and Italy as a Model’, the conference is organised by DCT Abu Dhabi in coordination with the National Marciana Library of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the University Library of Bologna in Italy, the National Library of Spain, and Royal Library of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

The conference was inaugurated in the presence of H.E. Lorenzo Fanara, Italian Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Irina Sanchís Vives, Chargé d´affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Spain, along with a group of scholars, specialists, and experts from Italy, Spain and across the Arab world.

DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed the participants and referenced the significance of the conference as a pioneering platform through which valuable and historical Arabic manuscripts are discussed in the fields of literature, heritage, religion, music, philosophy, science, and others. She also highlighted that these manuscripts showcase the great impact of the Arab culture and civilisation on Europe and its role in creating a pioneering civilisational and knowledge bridge that paved the way for the European renaissance.

The department noted that the conference reiterates the pioneering cultural and civilisational role of the UAE, and the emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, in preserving and disseminating authentic Arab heritage and achieving cultural and civilisational development, which are key pillars for sustainable development. This comes within Abu Dhabi’s endeavours to promote culture and build a knowledgeable society, as educated societies are the bedrock of the country’s sustainable development.

The department also pointed out that the emirate attained pioneering cultural achievements in the fields of arts, museums, culture and human history, which further cements Abu Dhabi's position as a pioneering global culture and arts hub.

Four sessions were held on the first day of the conference. The first one discussed “The Influence of Arab Culture on Europe (Spain and Italy)”, and was moderated by Dr. Salah Jarrar. The session saw the participation of Dr. Biltaji Ahmed Mohamed, Dr. Antonella Ghersetti, and Dr. Ayman Mohammed Maida. The participants discussed three research papers: “Arabic influence on Spanish Literature”, “Arabic letters and Italian narrative texts”, and “the impact of Arabic Maqamat in Spanish stories (Picaresque)”.

Dr. Bilal Orfali moderated the second session titled: Civilisational Exchange 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, Dr. Ida Zilio-Grandi, and Dr. Mohammed Kamel Jad. During the session, the participants discussed four research papers: “The first Arabic manuscripts printed in Spain”, “The transmission and spread of Andalusian manuscripts between the two Mediterranean banks”, “The significance of the literary exchange between the East and the West by focusing on Dante's ‘The Divine Comedy’”, and “The UAE’s efforts in preserving manuscripts”.

The third session deliberated “Achieving Arab Legacy Through the Italian and Spanish Orientalism”, and 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 session to preview four research papers titled: “The efforts of the contemporary Spanish Arabists in achieving the Arab heritage”, “The impact of orientalism on forming and improving the relationship between the West and the Arabic manuscripts”, “The Spanish orientalist Francisco Cudera (1836-1917) and his efforts in spreading the Arab heritage in Spain” in addition to “The impact of Andalusian heritage on scientific research in Spain”.

The fourth and last session was held under the theme: Translated Arabic Manuscripts in Italy and Spain, and it was 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 titled: “Translated Arabic manuscripts in the field of literature”, “The Toledo School of Translators and its impact on medicine and science in Europe”, and “European translations of some Arabic medicine books”.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Pearls of Wisdom exhibition was launched yesterday, 6^th December 2022, at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace. The exhibition will take visitors on a historical journey that deliberates the influence of Arab culture on Europe, highlighting the role of Arab civilisation in generating religious dialogue and contributing knowledge that paved the way for the European Renaissance.