Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The 4th Abu Dhabi International Conference on Manuscripts, held in collaboration with McGill University – Canada, opened at the Cultural Foundation by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
The two-day conference, under the theme “Visual Arts in Arabic and Islamic Manuscripts: Artistic Heritage and Contemporary Influence”, features world authorities and scholars on the subject.
The conference delves into the cultural, historical and artistic importance of manuscript visual arts and the influence they have on contemporary expression.
Opening the event, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, highlighted the Emirate’s contribution to cultural preservation.
“Today, we come together for a conversation that showcases our commitment towards the continued cultural preservation of the Arab and our shared human heritage,” he said.
He referred to manuscripts as “a living testimony of creativity, of scholars and thinkers who dedicated their lives to intellectual endeavour” and underscored Abu Dhabi’s responsibility “to preserve this heritage and make sure it does not die out”.
“We continue on the path for preserving this heritage, supported by our wise leadership to establish museums, conduct research, and train a new generation of researchers,” said Al Mubarak.
Mohammed Al Murr, the Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, lauded Abu Dhabi’s cultural vision, stating: “This gathering reflects the traditions that Abu Dhabi has cultivated in the cultural space, both digitally and internationally.
“The aim is not to hold an event once and let it fade away, but to build an academic tradition where every year the spotlight shifts to a new dimension of knowledge.”
“Manuscripts,” Al Murr said, “are treasures. They are treasures of human collective memory, spanning thousands of years - from cave inscriptions to the writings that accompanied the space age.”
He warned against neglect, saying: “We must not put our manuscripts in a locked-up place or admired only as decorative pieces. They are treasures of knowledge and creativity, and our institutions have an obligation to preserve them, study them, and make them available to scholars and the public.”
Professor Deep Saini, McGill University President and Vice-Chancellor, offered an international perspective on the human value of manuscripts.
“They are books with hearts which breathe with societies’ values and histories. They link us over centuries and speak to our common human quest for connection.”
At the conference, which includes participants from over 15 countries, he said, there was a wide range of voices: “Yesterday was the first time in my life I saw Spanish rhythm written in Arabic script. There were many strong feelings in it when you saw cultures come together in this way.”
And this cultural intersection spurred collaboration.
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Guylaine Beaudry, Trenholme Dean of Libraries at McGill University, said: “Our message is to bring together these manuscripts to tell the story of their making, the transmission of knowledge, and the art behind them. From this came not just the exhibition but also the idea of organising an international conference and publishing a catalogue in Arabic, English and French. The exhibition will later travel to Montreal with manuscripts from here, from McGill, and from other institutions.”
On technology, she added: “It plays a role in conservation and preservation, ensuring what our predecessors could not preserve is protected for future generations. Digitisation, OCR, and AI allow broader access. So far, we have focused on the exhibition and catalogue, but this dimension is something we want to deepen.”
Beaudry stressed the importance of collaboration, saying: “Once you develop a process, you don’t do it for one manuscript only - you do it for all. The challenges are significant, but so is what’s at stake. In the end, it is about the people who produced, wrote, and preserved them. Stewardship and responsibility are at the heart of our mission.”
Doaa Nounou, Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books at DCT – Abu Dhabi, told Aletihad the conference opened a new chapter.
“We formed a scientific committee to evaluate abstracts. Out of more than 650 submissions, 30 were selected. Bringing together researchers, calligraphers, illuminators and curators on one platform is unprecedented.”
She added: “We have a specialised department for restoration, with facilities that meet strict preservation standards. Earlier generations lived with manuscripts; today it is our responsibility to preserve them and teach new generations their value. Preservation is not only material, but also moral. Manuscripts are a living source of pride and identity that must remain alive for generations to come.”
