The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is to host the first-ever conference and exhibition in the UAE capital which will focus solely on manuscripts. The Arabic Manuscripts Reality and Issues exhibition will be on display at Manarat Al Saadiyat from 16th January to 15th February, and will be complemented by a full public programme of workshops and a dedicated conference.
The event will begin in January with a two-day conference (16th-17th), which will feature six sessions highlighting the historical value of editing, publishing and preserving manuscripts, with renowned academics and specialists from across the GCC region and the world participating as moderators and speakers. The conference will be opened by HE Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi.
“It’s a huge honour to be hosting the UAE’s first-ever Manuscripts Conference, as well as welcoming so many esteemed professors from all over the GCC and Middle East,” said Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Executive Director of the Dar Al Kutub Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi. “This conference not only helps to preserve our shared history regionally but also enables us to educate the next generation about the importance of Arabic manuscripts and linguistic heritage.”
A full list of the Manuscripts Workshop Programme can be found below:
| Workshop | Date | Time | Ages |
| Book Making | 16 January | 10am – 1pm | 12-16 |
| Writing workshop | 17 January | 5pm – 8pm | adults |
| Children’s Workshop | 18 January | 5pm – 8pm | 8-12 |
| Colours and Letters | 19 January | 10am – 1pm | All ages |
| Book making | 20 January | 5pm – 8pm | All ages |
| Colours and Letters | 21 January | 5pm – 8pm | 12-16 |
| Principles of the Patch Line | 23 January | 10am – 1pm | adults |
| Colours and Letters | 26 January | 10am – 1pm | All ages |
| Book making | 28 January | 5pm – 8pm | adults |
| Book making | 29 January | 10am – 1pm | All ages |
| Colours and Letters | 30 January | 5pm – 8pm | All ages |
| Children’s Workshop | 31 January | 5pm – 8pm | 8-12 |
| Children’s Workshop | 1 February | 5pm – 8pm | 8-12 |
| Colours and Letters | 2 February | 10am – 1pm | All ages |
| The Principles of the Kufi Line | 4 February | 10am – 1pm | 8-12 |
| Learn About Calligraphy Tools | 6 February | 5pm – 8pm | Families |
| Write Names | 11 February | 10am – 1pm | All ages |
For further information on the festival, please visit: https://visitabudhabi.ae
