A large number of experts and specialists participate in presenting the UAE's image

The Archive and the National Library receive contributions from major international universities to participate in the Second International Translation Conference
More than 70 researchers and specialists will participate in the second international translation conference organized by the Archives and the National Library under the slogan (Translation and Preserving the Memory of the Nation: The Image of the Emirates in Cultures, Literature and International Intellectual Heritage) from May 9-13, 2022.
With this international conference, the Archive and the National Library will continue its role as a beacon for academic research and one of the tributaries of knowledge in translation and publishing. It looks forward to making this conference the most valuable and most important in scientific, academic and professional terms, and it will have a significant impact on the level of scientific and research achievements and the development of the translation movement locally, regionally and internationally.  
The Archives and the National Library are keen on making the Second International Translation Conference an extension of what the conference achieved in its first edition. Where he was able to establish his place in the cultural arena, as it attracted researchers from major universities, and resulted in the issuance of a research volume entitled: (The First International Conference on Translation and Archives and the National Library) that includes most of the research that was presented at the First International Conference on Translation and the National Archives and Library, which was held under the slogan "Translation in the Digital Age between Modern Technologies and the Challenges of the Historical Text" The volume exceeds 550 pages, including 27 peer-reviewed papers by specialists, professors, and researchers from major international universities such as Harvard University, the University of California in Los Angeles, the University of Ottawa in Canada, and Queen's University in Ireland. And the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and many other international universities. This volume provides modern and intensive scientific material that enriches local, regional and international libraries and provides qualitative research and studies for the benefit of postgraduate students in universities and all those interested in translation research in its various branches.
Based on the echo left by the Translation Conference in its first edition, the second edition of the International Translation Conference attracted the attention of researchers, experts and specialists from senior professors in distinguished universities as well, such as: University of Illinois, New York University, University of Central Florida in the United States, and Wilfrid Laurier University. In the state of Ontario in Canada, the University of Mount Allison in the province of New Brunswick in Canada, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, and the University of Barcelona in Portugal. These specialists and researchers have taken the initiative to send dozens of research papers for publication in the book, which is scheduled to be issued in two volumes after the second conference.
It should be noted that the conference committee has also received research papers for publication submitted by professional translators, professors, and specialists in translation from various universities and research centers in Europe, Australia, India, Indonesia, and some Arab and Gulf countries.  It is expected that the conference will result in two research volumes this year due to the increase in the number of participants in the Second International Conference on Translation. The Archive and the National Library will publish the two volumes after the completion of the conference activities, arbitrate the research, and choose the best of them for publication in order to achieve scientific interest and public benefit, and consolidate the position of the archive. And the National Library on the global scientific and academic research map.

Abdulla Majed Al Ali: We are keen on presenting the UAE’s image in other cultures
The National Library and Archives finalizes the necessary preparations for the 2nd International Translation Conference

The National Library and Archives has completed all necessary preparations for rendering the 2nd International Translation Conference distinctive. The conference will be held under the slogan “Translation and Preservation of the Memory of the Nation: The Image of the UAE in Cultures, Literatures, and World Intellectual Heritage” on May 9-13, 2022, and it aims to translate the achievements and cultural heritage of the UAE in the past and present and build bridges of communication with other cultures and civilizations worldwide.
More than 70 researchers, experts, and specialists from 25 countries participated in this conference, which will be held virtually.
Regarding the 2nd International Translation Conference, H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Acting Director General of the NLA, said “The National Library and Archives organizes this conference as part of its national role in collecting the UAE’s memory and recording its present to be preserved for the generations to come. Our commitment to develop the conference is due to our interest in maintaining the 1st translation conference’s leading role and the excellence it achieved, given our belief that the UAE leads the efforts to promote translation at the Arab level since translation is one of the key catalysts that stimulate dialogue with the other and spread the culture of tolerance pursued by the UAE Government.”
“This conference will contribute to the presentation of the UAE’s real image of in cultures, literatures, and world intellectual heritage, and by documenting this image, we will be able to enrich the knowledge with the UAE’s history, present and leading unity experience. To promote the translation movement, we, at the NLA, are aware of the important role of translation in the international cultural movement, and we realize the interest of the National Library, which we aspire to become a beacon for culture and civilization in the UAE, in building bridges of communication between cultures and peoples and that it is the ideal means for enriching the international library.”, His Excellency added.
Furthermore, he indicated that as the NLA organizes this international conference, it stressed that this conference is a beacon for academic research and a pivotal tributary of knowledge in the field of translation and publishing. The NLA is dedicated to render this conference the most valuable and important scientific, academic and professional event.
The NLA’s Acting Director General called upon all interested persons, academic staff and university students to attend the conference events, which would enrich their knowledge with the most updated information in this domain.
It is worth mentioning that this conference will tackle a number of significant topics including: “The image of the UAE in the eyes of European travelers and the problems of translation European languages”, “Western historical and political narratives about the UAE and the dilemmas of translation in the new millennium”, “Contemporary Emirati civilizational achievements in European and Asian writings and the challenges of translation at the present time”, “The role of translation in enhancing the image of the UAE and its cultural heritage in the twenty-first century at the global level”, “The representation of the Emirati society in Western cultures and literatures”, “The role of universities and various institutions in developing the translation movement in the Arab world”, “Preparing competent translators for labor market”, “Creativity and audio-visual translation” and “The challenges of machine translation in light of information revolution and contemporary artificial intelligence technologies”, etc.

World-leading experiences that can be emulated, and recommendations that contribute to the advancement of industries

The National Library and Archives (NLA) organizes "Cultural Industries from Theory to Application" seminar in its Cultural Season 2022

The National Library and Archives (NLA) organized its second seminar in its Cultural Season 2022 entitled "Cultural Industries from theory to application" as they are important in preserving national identity, a significant part of peoples' culture and economy, a source of national income, and a promoter of creativity. Their principles must be instilled in young people and passed over generations as they have great material and moral value.  The world's developed countries have now incorporated their returns within their national income indicators.

The seminar, moderated by Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department of the National Library and Archives, confirmed that the UAE attaches great importance to cultural industries, and that the wise leadership supports these industries and takes care of those who have interest in them.

A group of experts and specialists in the field of cultural industries participated in the seminar, discussed the topic in many respects, presented projects that proved successful, such as the Chinese and the Italian experiences, and highlighted the success achieved by the UAE in this field.

Ms. Safia Darwish Al Qubaisi, the UAE’s traditional heritage and crafts expert, praised the continued encouragement and great attention given by the UAE's wise leadership to cultural industries and artisans, noting that this interest is not new in the UAE, as the founder and builder, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan, was interested in them, and he supported women pioneers in traditional industries and encouraged them at all events.

The traditional heritage and crafts expert focused on the important role of cultural industries and their positive impact on the economic and social agenda, as they are considered one of the quickest growing economic sectors relying on unique and renewable resources in all areas of heritage and handicrafts. She pointed out the task of keeping up with modern technology and catching up with the digital revolution, employing its tools for innovation and preservation and development of cultural industries.  She also indicated that cultural and creative industries had had a positive impact on weaving together a stronger social fabric and promoting cognitive and cultural exchange between components of society, and in preserving cultural and creative heritage.

Dr. Ahmed Al Saeed, founder and general manager of The House of Wisdom Group for Cultural Industries, reviewed the Chinese experience in developing cultural industries that have become an important source of national income for China, and explained how to benefit from them in the Arab world.


Dr. Al-Saeed shed light on cultural industries in China, and their development stages. He analyzed the current development size of the Chinese culture market and the related industries, pointing to the main approach which led to advancing the cultural industries there, and the factors influencing their development. He also addressed ways to manage our Arab cultural industries and the possibility of transforming them to a source of income and pride at the same time.

Dr. Mohamed Al-Tadawi, an Egyptian historian and museum expert residing in Italy, gave a presentation on the Italian project known as (Invisible Cities), which was launched five years ago by the Italian company (Arsenal 23). It involves taking the users in a virtual tour of the old street in the city of Rome by bus; thus, they experience what the street was like twenty centuries ago in full details, as if roaming the vast ancient Roman Empire. Al-Tadawi pointed out that this experience is a reproduction of the Sound and Light Show, which is about the ancient Egyptian monuments, and which reached its peak of success in the 1960s, when it was played on the surface of the pyramids, attracting people's attention at the time.

Al-Tadawi believes that this project can be successfully implemented in Arab countries. In Medina, for example, this experience can entertain visitors by showing aspects of the migration of Prophet Muhammed ﷺ and his life in Medina. It can also be implemented in the United Arab Emirates by making a presentation about life in past eras, to consolidate the UAE’s history, and confirm the glories which its people had achieved in the past.

The participants concluded the seminar with recommendations that could advance this field. They involved focusing on the importance of employing scientific research and intellectual property and brushing aside bureaucracy in this vital cultural and economic field. They also emphasized the role of the state in realizing the significance of these industries in preserving national identity, and the importance of developing plans and visions for cultural industries, and spreading them in poor neighborhoods, in addition to assigning places and markets to enlighten about their particulars and details, encouraging generations to preserve them, and allocating outlets to market their products.

Emphasizing the importance of scientific research in this field, the Director of the Archives Department concluded the seminar with the memorable words of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan: “Science and culture are the basis of the nation’s progress, the foundation of civilization, and the cornerstone of nation-building, and without scientific progress, there would be no civilizations, advanced industry or agriculture to meet the needs of the citizens.

It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives has launched it’s the agenda of its cultural season 2022, featuring various topics with a historical dimension for the UAE, to introduce this authentic culture  to the public in order to promote belonging to the nation and loyalty to its good leadership as this lies at the heart of the NLA’s mission.

The National Library and Archives various events and activities reflect its great interest in women.
The "Memory of the Nation" presents to the Heritage Festival’s guests and visitors’ aspects of Sheikh Zayed's great interest in women

The National Library and Archives takes special interest in Emirati women in all occasions and at all times, The displayed photos at the NLA’s "Memory of the Nation" pavilion stress and demonstrate to the festival visitors the distinguished status Emirati women have enjoyed and achieved supported and empowered by the founding Leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision along with the wise leaders. Emirati women, with the great trust invested in them have succeeded through their participations in all fields to achieve enormous leaps and transformation.

The National Library and Archives’ firm interest in Emirati women reflects their great role and efforts in all social and economic fields, thanks to the founding Leader and Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first supporter and builder of Emirati women’s renaissance, who supported them to overcome any obstacles hindering their advancement to enhance their contribution to their nation and its affairs.

The National Library and Archives presented photos at the "Memory of the Nation" pavilion reflecting the unprecedented historical role and systematic strategic planning of Sheikh Zayed for the development, advancement and empowerment of Emirati women to enable them to attain such a distinguished status whether regionally or internationally. This indicates the importance of Sheikh Zayed’s wise vision, great trust and support to Emirati women all through his auspicious reign; in appreciation of their various roles in life whether as mothers, wives, sisters, or worthy humans who have aspirations, rights and duties. Emirati woman managed during his auspicious reign, to achieve great advancement whether in, knowledge, thought, professional career or status.

The "Memory of the Nation" demonstrates how Sheikh Zayed, the great Leader was keenly interested in women’s education and their incorporation in the community- as they constitute an integral part of the society- to optimally invest and utilize their efforts towards achieving further development levels.

The Photos displayed at the "Memory of the Nation", highlighting various aspects of Sheikh Zayed's efforts in support of women and their development, demonstrate the National Library and Archives’ interest in Emirati women to support them in overcoming any hindering obstacles to achieving equality with their fellow male brothers in the community to equally participate together in all fields, to assume their well-deserved status, as bright role-models for Emirati women leadership in all forums.

Among the National Library and Archives’ key presented publications in this connection are the books: (Zayed and Women’s Progress), (Thus Spoke Fatima Bint Mubarak) and five volumes documenting (the chronicles of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak). The books and chronicles document various aspects of the great support extended by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima for the advancement of Emirati women in particular and women around the world in general; Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Emirates", President of the General Women's Union, Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, has never spared any effort to support Emirati women’s advancement and empowerment. This greatly contributed to, and resulted in Emirati women’s attaining a distinguished position and status, as a source of pride and admiration for transforming challenges into achievements.

The National Library and Archives realized and appreciated the great role and biography of Her Highness and wanted to utilize that to inspire other women as a leading role model in the service of the nation.

In addition to these two books, many of the National Library and Archives’ publications were dedicated to women, as was the case in the Photo Archives and Presidential Archives which include a large number of historical photos and documentary films that document the various stages of the community’s support of women, whether academically or professionally. Moreover, the National Library and Archives never failed to seize any Emirati women related occasion to support it with its experts and specialists to deliver professional lectures that highlight the importance of Emirati women’s experience through their participation in the UAE witnessed development and prosperity.

Amid the Interest of its Audience from the Different

Segments of Society

The National Library and Archives Organizes more than 100 Events and Activities in the Reading Month

In line with the directions of our rational leadership for promoting the culture of science and knowledge, the National Library and Archives has prepared a program composed of more than 100 events to be organized during the reading month as reading is important in raising the cultural background of individuals and arming them with knowledge and as reading has  a great effect on the professional qualification of individuals by enhancing their positive awareness and providing sustainability to promoting knowledge which will lead to sustainable development in general.

The events were many and include educational program packages for the student audience, in addition to lectures for internal and external audience. These lectures deal with and encourage all types of reading. The events were designed to acquaint the audience with the Emirates Library and its holdings and reflect its role in the provision of the resources and references needed by the readers and researchers in the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. The events highlight the importance of E-books and the experiences of the great writers in the fields of reading. Some of these events were concerned with archiving, documentation and the publications of the National Library and Archives.

The National Library and Archives organized an internal book exhibition at its headquarters, in which several libraries and publishing houses, most important of them were the University Library, Dar Al-Saada, Dar Al-Safa, and Kankoniya Library which participated with books and national and cultural publications that were highly perceived by the employees and visitors. In parallel to this exhibition, the National Library and Archives organized another exhibition of books which deal with reading, its importance and its role in building the individual and society and the role of the United Arab Emirates in encouraging reading. The books displayed are from the Emirates Library holdings and are available for viewing and borrowing.

On the importance of these events, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Acting Director-General of the National Library and Archives, said: “Preparations were taken early in order to enrich this month with an intensive program of events that are consistent with the slogan “UAE Reads”; we have provided all the requirements for these events, and each member of National Library and Archives knows his/her role in them. The National Library and Archives have prepared the event program for this month in an organized, coordinated and meticulous manner. The headquarters of the National Library and Archives became an arena for the events and the lectures that were presented virtually to the various segments of society, including the children and students of our staff members.”

He added: “Based on our role, which requires us to provide honest and documented information to the general public, the National Library and Archives has become like a beehive in which all experts, specialists and employees come to organize activities that would enrich the knowledge of the public inside and outside the National Library and Archives during the reading month. We have directed our events to the various segments of society and dedicated dozens of events, including national and cultural lectures and reading workshops to the publications of the National Library and Archives to be organized to the student audience with the aim of instilling the seeds of good citizenship in them, enhancing the sense of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership.”

His Excellency said: “The National Library and Archives provided its wide audience with cultural and national lectures; these lectures have offered them an additional knowledge background and encouraged them to adopt useful reading. These events opened the doors to the public and showed them the importance of the Emirates Library in the National Library and Archives with its specialized sources and references in the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region, the importance of paper and electronic books and the publications by which the National Library and Archives and the Emirates Library enrich the cultural circles.”

His Excellency said that in line with the reading month, the National Library and Archives distributed to all employees the book (Zayed and the Saadiyat Miracle) with the aim of enriching their knowledge of this book’s distinguished national content with a pioneering agricultural experiment that reveals the genius of the founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the National Library and Archives has documented it. The National Library and Archives has also provided them with a set of national booklets, which document aspects of the UAE history and the biographies of its greatest leaders and highlighted the importance of the information in the events which were offered by a number of experts, specialists, writers and intellectuals from inside and outside the National Library and Archives during the reading month and described them as accurate and well documented.

It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives has organized virtual lectures on reading as a social responsibility and a national initiative. The lectures also dealt with types of reading and e-books and introduced the rare Arabic books project and made them available to researchers.

The National Library and Archives allocates open days to acquaint the public with the Emirates Library and its opening timings and the special events for the employees’ children to extend the benefits to all the people.

The events also included lectures and reading workshops that were presented in cooperation with national, society and educational centers and institutions. The most prominent lectures were: Education in the United Arab Emirates, Emirati Values and Memorable Speeches of Zayed... and others.

The events of the National Library and Archives come to enhance its social responsibility and to sustain the cultural development. These events will continue until the last day of this month.

The National Library and Archives Celebrated the Emirati tradition of "Haq Al Laila" at its pavilion at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival

The National Library and Archives celebrated the traditional occasion of "Haq Al Laila", which falls on mid Sha'ban eve, at its “Memory of the Nation” pavilion, participating in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

The National Library and Archives’ keen interest to celebrate this occasion is due to its great role in preserving and reviving cultural and social heritage. This celebration comes as part of the NLA’s social activities organized with the aim of instilling and enhancing national identity, and heritage in the hearts and minds of new generations.

On the sidelines of the National Library and Archives’ celebration of the occasion this year; Some children participated and were dressed in their original traditional clothes, the celebration rituals took place alongside common traditional chants on the occasion of “Haq al-Laila”: “Give us “Haq al-Laila”, May God reward you, and grant you a visit to the Holy Mosque of Makkah …” Many giveaways of various types of sweets were offered and presented to participants.

His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives participated in celebrating this occasion along with all Department Directors and employees; due to its importance in instilling and enhancing heritage and national identity in new generations which is a main objective of the National Library and Archives. Apart from this, the blessed mid- Sha’ban’s eve also brings adults great happiness because of the joyful childhood memories it brings, and the spirit of love and solidarity it spreads among the UAE people and society. It is noteworthy that all the celebration’s aspects mimicked the  Emirati heritage vocabulary and songs for the occasion as these were echoed across both the National Library and Archives, and its Memory of the Nation pavilion at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival.

According to what was mentioned in the second part of the book issued by the National Library and Archives, entitled: “Their Memory.. Our History”: Since ancient times, this occasion has been known and celebrated the eve of mid-Sha’ban as part of the Emirati heritage, where Emiratis presented give-away gifts which they called “Haq al-Laila to the children who wandered in the neighborhood or al Freej knocking houses-doors and chanting:

Give us “Haq al-Laila”      may God reward you

Give us “Haq Allah”          may God grant you a visit to the holy Mosque of Mecca.  

The National Library and Archives (NLA) and the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) discuss strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest

The National Library and Archives (NLA) discussed strengthening cooperation with NYU Abu Dhabi in various fields such as digitizing rare books, compiling family and private archives and making them available on a special platform on the NYUAD's website, in addition to addressing and restoring the university’s collections in the labs of the Center For Preservation and Restoration of the National Library and Archives, and in other areas of common interest.

As His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, received Professor Shamoon Zamir and Mr. Mubarak Al Ahbabi of the NYUAD, at the National Library and Archives headquarters, new joint initiatives were launched. They included collecting family archives or private archives and making them available on the platform allocated by NYU Abu Dhabi on its website. The NLA is interested in family and private archives as they constitute a historical legacy and a significant part of the country's historical archive and archival heritage, and it is also interested in completing the collection of the UAE's national and historical archives.

Furthermore, the National Library and Archives has stressed the importance of cooperating with NYU Abu Dhabi and exchanging archive collections of common interest. In this regard, NLA offered the treatment and restoration of damaged historical collections by senior experts and specialists in the restoration laboratory of the NLA’s Center for Conservation and Restoration.

The two sides praised their collaboration level in the "Arab Groups on the Internet" project, available on the project’s platform on the NYUAD website, which includes a collection of rare Arabic books from the Emirates Library, selected by experts in this field. The NLA’s participation in this project is one in a series of many other projects which promote cultural diplomacy, driven by its interest in putting efforts to collaborate on local, Arab and international projects which promote the world heritage and contribute to its availability to readers.

The two sides are reviewing the memorandum of understanding concluded between them in line with their new joint initiatives.

The National Library and Archives organizes a national training program for Expo 2020 consuls

The National Library and Archives “NLA” concluded a virtual national training program for Expo 2020 consuls in collaboration with “Hamza” project, which is the link between Expo 2020 pavilions and government schools in the UAE. The NLA’s program aims to instill the UAE’s cultural heritage and principles of national identity and good citizenship among Expo consuls to show these values to the world in a way that is worthy of the UAE’s position at the international level. The NLA launched this program given its strategic role in good national education of generations and its interest in supporting culture exchange and fostering Expo slogan, which calls for connecting minds and creating the future.

The program is directed to Expo consuls who are local students in cycles 2 and 3 who speak English and demonstrate communication skills. It includes national and cultural lectures delivered by experts and specialists from the NLA.

One of the most prominent lectures that were delivered in coordination with Hamza project was “Identity, Loyalty and Belonging: Key National Values”, which enhances these values among participants. The lecture stressed that these national values are basic national parameters to be instilled among all community members as they are a requirement of good citizenship and a means to protect the UAE’s accomplishments and enhance cohesion among citizens. The lecture was supported with sayings of the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and with documents, photos and evidence from the biographies and sayings of great leaders who impressed the world with their achievements.

The second lecture entitled “Tolerance in the UAE” served as a window onto the UAE’s past and present to show the world its real image as an oasis for tolerance and a global example of coexistence and fraternity where more than 200 nationalities live on its land. The lecture emphasized that the UAE keeps raising hope, spreading benevolence, encouraging cooperation and fostering tolerance values. It also tackled tolerance in the perspective of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, stressing that he strived to strengthen the values of Islam and accordingly he adopted equality and tolerance as an approach in life. Furthermore, since the foundation of the UAE, he aimed to open the UAE’s door wide to all nationalities; he made the UAE as a homeland of tolerance, coexistence and love. Finally, the lecture identified the Emirati community characteristics, noting that it is one of the most successful communities that adopted tolerance values.

On the other hand, the third lecture entitled “The 100th Centennial Anniversary of the UAE” foresaw the future in light of the ten principles approved by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for the following fifty years and the directives of the wise leadership to reach the UAE’s 100th centennial anniversary as well as the UAE’s strategy, which we hope to be at the forefront internationally by its 100th centennial anniversary. The lecture assured that it is the responsibility of the youths to play the major role.

In addition, the program provided a lecture entitled “The Protocol”, which aims to enable participants to deal with VIPs and official guests in appropriate manner in accordance with the internationally accepted standards. These tasks are highly sensitive; therefore, Expo consuls have to excel in them as they form a part of the frontline of this amazing international exhibition.

The participants went on a virtual tour of the NLA via interactive platforms, and they got acquainted with its main facilities such as the Emirates Library, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hall, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed VR Hall and Customer Happiness Hall.

Characterized by its national, scientific and cultural subjects,

The National Library and Archives begins its cultural season with a symposium “Architecture, An Introduction to Documentation and Chronicling” 

The National Library and Archives “NLA” began its cultural season for 2022 by organizing a virtual symposium entitled “Architecture, An Introduction to Documentation and Chronicling”. The symposium’s topics attracted the attention of the audience inside and outside the NLA due to their importance to the national heritage and its preservation and to the cultural and scientific domains.

The symposium was opened by H.H. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Acting Director General of the NLA, welcoming the participants one by one. He assured that this symposium comes as a part of the NLA’s interest in the Emirati architectural heritage, which reflects aspects of the civilization and the UAE’s progress and development.

He suggested that architecture is the art of creativity and thinking-based building. Architectural heritage is one of the most significant tangible sources that reflect previous generations’ social and cultural activities. Furthermore, architectural heritage is the source of the sense of beauty, and it links the past with the present. He added that from the architectural heritage we obtain information, and we are inspired by the glories of our ancestors, which we are proud of, noting that documentation of architectural styles, varieties and development enriches the memory of the nations’ records with details of previous generations’ life. The comparison between the architectural heritage and contemporary urbanization shows the UAE’s stages of development, civilizational experience and prestigious position in terms of modern civilization inputs.

His Excellency indicated that the NLA devoted attention to the documentation of the national architectural heritage and its glorious history. Therefore, it issued a number of significant books, most notably Qasr Al Hosn, Forts and Castles in the United Arab Emirates, and Castles and Towers in the Al Dhafra Region. Moreover, the NLA has much more examples of such publications, which attracted a large turnout of researchers, academic staff and interested people.

The symposium was rich in information that are obtained from the Emirati, Arab and international experiences. Participants were experts, engineers and researchers in the field of architectural heritage and urbanization from the UAE, Arab Republic of Egypt and ICCROM.

In the first topic of the symposium, H.E. Engineer Rashad Mohammed Bukhash, Chairman of the Architectural Heritage Society in the UAE, assured that the UAE has thousands of archeological and historical sites of forts and castles, mosques and towers, markets and residential buildings of various types. He presented models of these buildings and illustrated the efforts of preservation, restoration and renovation by the concerned departments in each emirate to preserve the architectural heritage. Furthermore, he provided an overview of the Architectural Heritage Society and its activities, projects and efforts to spread awareness about heritage.

The second topic was about gates in Abu Dhabi and their history, architecture and decorations. Dr. Hamdan Rashid Al Rashidi from the UAE indicated that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has many defensive fortifications, which contributed to the defense of the citizens’ assets in the Emirate and to their protection in times of danger. He also introduced a number of architectural terminologies related to gates. He pointed out that entrances and gates are one of the main architectural elements in any defensive fortification as an architect pays attention to them in terms of location, fortification and ease of accessibility and exit. There were various forms of entrances with different fortification locations based on their functions. Al Rashidi reviewed the most significant entrances and gates’ forms, construction methods, distribution and functions. The main forms are the door between two towers, two doors one of which is large, and the other is small “Khokha”, protruding entrance, bent entrance and upper entrance. He provided examples of heritage buildings such as Al Maqtaa Tower, Al Muwaiji Fort, Al Jahili Fort, Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed’s Fort, etc.

Dr Zaki Aslan, Regional Director of ICCROM, gave readings about the region’s architecture as examples of the Islamic civilization and showed potentials for digitizing, recording and preserving the architectural heritage assets by making inventory and integrating it into national archives.

By taking the Upper Egypt as an example, Dr. Mohammed Shahata Al Omdah, Egyptian Researcher in folklore, talked about the folk architecture, which represents the tangible form of culture and its intangible form as well, which is represented in the community’s customs and traditions, beliefs and folk knowledge. He noted that the Upper Egypt community underwent several cultural changes, resulting in the change of architecture, its functions, related professions, and folk literature and arts, emphasizing the importance of the related folklore.

Dr. Tariq Wali, Egyptian Architect, discussed architecture, urbanization and heritage, the controversary of past and present. He suggested that these three terms have in common a human factor that is, in its essence, subject to what is commonly called human creativity, and this comes within a context governed by a law, either from the architecture and urbanization sciences and knowledge or from other fields.

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the NLA, who had managed the symposium, discussed with the participants the key recommendations about the symposium subject. They unanimously agreed on the importance of collecting, documenting and recording the tangible and intangible heritage in the Arab countries as these are the national archives’ functions. Moreover, it is important to establish a database for archeological and historical sites, introduce an annual international award for heritage preservation and documentation, conduct interviews with the elderly to preserve the oral history pertaining to this field, train local employees on carrying out historical interviews and field survey, fund research, author books, make documentary film to record the details of history and encourage voluntary work to preserve and document history.

The participants unanimously agreed on the importance of send missions to archeological sites to study and document folk architecture and preserve the heritage that reflects the identity and professions pertaining to architecture in order to acquaint the generations with their history. It is also important to apply the anthropological approach in the UAE since it is an ideal place for such historical and heritage studies, understand and agree on concepts and terminologies related to architecture and urbanization, heritage and authenticity, and contemporaneity and renewal. All participants stressed the importance of introducing, documenting and archiving the cultural heritage digitally.

It is reported that the NLA launched its cultural season agenda for 2022, and it looks forward to presenting various subjects of historical dimension about the UAE in many symposiums and to making this authentic culture accessible. This enhances belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership and provides the public with precise and documented information and knowledge, which is the core of its mission.

The National Library and Archives offered Zayed, The Saadiyat Miracle as a gift to the Majalis

The National Library and Archives “NLA” of the UAE offered Zayed, The Saadiyat Miracle as a gift to Abu Dhabi Majalis, which are managed by Majalis Affairs Office of the Crown Prince Court.

By providing the Majalis with The Saadiyat Miracle, the NLA aims to spread cultural awareness and review Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s experience in that vital agricultural project, which has proven successful in Saadiyat Island in 1968.

The NLA’s endeavor to provide the Majalis with this book is due to its distinctive national content as it enriches the knowledge of the Majalis’ visitors with a leading agricultural experience that reflects the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s genius, which is documented by the NLA and incorporated within its national mission to provide documented and reliable information.

The NLA offered to the Majalis about 50 copies of The Saadiyat Miracle, which documents a remarkable achievement of the everlasting leader who will remain an example of foresightedness, love of his people and fatherly leadership.

The book in brief

The Saadiyat Miracle book documents Sheikh Zayed’s efforts when he challenged the impossible and the agricultural project in Saadiyat Island succeeded in 1968. This book is one of the NLA’s series of publications that document the UAE’s memory of the achievements made by the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed who elevated the level of the UAE and its citizens so that it became a model for the contemporary state under the umbrella of its wise leadership.

The book tackles Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s efforts in agriculture and reclamation of salty lands in Saadiyat Island when he was the ruler Abu Abu Dhabi. In 1967, he offered money to some of The University of Arizona’s scientists to establish facilities for power, water and food in the island in order to start cultivation and producing fresh vegetables, and using modern technologies for irrigation, electrical power generation and seawater desalination. Saadiyat lands reclamation project attracted a great deal of the world attention as many academic journals and books wrote about it in various languages. Saadiyat is one of Abu Dhabi’s islands that is with white Oolitic sand, and it lacked both water and roads.

The book, authored by Dr. Merle H. Jensen, started with a saying of the Founding Leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan: “Give me agriculture and I will give you civilization”. Following the book introduction come the seven chapters as follows:

In Chapter (1) “The Birth of Controlled Environment Agriculture: Power, Water, Food for Desert Communities”, the book tackles the Environmental Research Laboratory, plastic greenhouse development and the highly encouraging results of the horticultural trials.

Chapter (2) talks about the agriculture in the Emirates in the late 1960s. The book highlighted the markets in Abu Dhabi and the vegetables that were sold at that time.

In Chapter (3) “Technology Transfer Begins”, the author recalled the details of the first visit of Mr. Carl Hodges, Director of the Environmental Research Laboratory, to the island and the harsh conditions there. He mentioned the three trainees selected by Sheikh Zayed to accompany Dr. Riley, Project Director, in his flight over the Arctic to Tucson. The trainees were: Abdulla Said Kaddas, Hamad Murshid Tamin and Mohamed Mijrin Seif. This chapter provides details about the greenhouse structure and environment and the power/water production units, etc.

Chapter (4) “Research Solves Horticultural Challenges” explains how to select vegetables varieties and it provides a list of these vegetables.

Chapter (5) “Bountiful Harvest” illustrates the results of the project.

Chapter (6) “Notable Diplomats, Visitors and Experiences” indicates that the Saadiyat project has attracted many diplomats and visitors from the UAE and different countries of the world.

Finally, Chapter (7) “The Lasting Impact” demonstrates that the Saadiyat project had great impact in the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. It also resulted in the enrollment of a number of students in The University of Arizona, and it was the beginning of technologies that started to develop.

The book supported its valuable information with a large number of historical photos, most notably the photos of the Founding Father while he was following up the project stages and development.

70 Research Papers on the Image of the UAE in the cultures, literatures and World Intellectual Heritage,
The National Library and Archives Continues its Preparations for the 2nd International Translation Conference

As part of its continuous preparation for the 2nd International Translation Conference, the National Library and Archives “NLA” accepted 70 research papers for participation in the conference, which will be held virtually on March 9-13, 2022, under the slogan of “Translation and Preservation of the Memory of the Nation: The Image of the UAE in the cultures, literatures and World Intellectual Heritage”.
In this regard, Mr. Hamad Slayem Al Hamiri, Director of the Research and Knowledge Services Department at the NLA, said: “Following the success of the 1st International Translation Conference, we noticed a great turnout of researchers, translators, experts and specialists for participation in the 2nd International Translation Conference. Soon as we had announced the date for submitting papers, we received a large number of serious papers that will enrich the conference with innovative topics in living languages worldwide. Among the received research papers, the organizing committee selected 70 papers on the ten topics of the conference agenda to be announced soon.”
“Upon the shortlisting of the appropriate research papers for the 2nd International Translation Conference, we bear in mind the importance of the linguistic, cultural, historical and epistemological interconnections that require accuracy in transfer between different languages, especially that we are dealing with a topic of significant national dimensions related to the image of the UAE in the cultures, literatures and world intellectual heritage. That is why the conference agenda has included research papers discussing the image of the UAE in the eyes of the European travelers, historical and political narratives and contemporary Emirati civilizational achievements in European and Asian writings.”, he added.
He confirmed that the research papers to be included in the conference agenda study the role of translation in enhancing the image and cultural heritage of the UAE in the 21st century.
Following the success of the 1st International Translation Conference, the Director of the Research and Knowledge Services Department revealed the offer received by the NLA from Globethics, which expressed its admiration for the topics of the 2nd International Translation Conference. The Globethics offer was a request to publish all the research papers of the next conference. Discussions are still taking place between the NLA and Globethics to publish these papers in a way that preserves the NLA’s rights in its capacity of the organizer of the conference.
It is worth mentioning that Globethics is a Cambridge-based publishing house. It is a major world company concerned with publishing historical and philosophical research papers as well as papers in the field of humanities and social sciences.
The participants in the conference include a number of professional specialists and experts, American, Canadian and European professors, a number of researchers from major universities in Asia, Latin America and Australia and an elite of academic staff members from Arab, African and GCC universities as well as specialists from the UAE University.

The National Library and Archives enriches its cultural season entitled " Archivng is Life", with distinguished lectures and topics.

The National Library and Archives launched the agenda of its 2022 cultural season entitled “Archiving is Life”. Its monthly seminars deal with the various aspects of the UAE glorious history and prosperous present through which it seeks to enrich and document its topics and provide accurate and important information and knowledge. Through its cultural season, the National Library and Archives aims at presenting UAE related historical topics in a facilitated informative way for the public’s interest, since promoting this culture contributes to enhancing and preserving future generations’ historical memory, national identity and culture.
The current cultural season’s agenda includes poetic and artistic evenings and seminars,  beginning with “Architecture as an Introduction to Documentation and History” on February 28th, followed by various other seminars on topics including industries, traditional crafts, arts, translation and preserving the memory of the nation which tackle recounted oral history based on UAE Senior figures and citizens’ memory, and literary history, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, corporate governance, and talent management, while shedding light on leaders who shaped the UAE history, and initiated the motto “Al-Bait Mitwahid”.
His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, the National Library and Archives’ Acting Director General said: “the current cultural season comes this year under the metaphoric title: “Archiving is Life,” indicating the importance of Archives and its role in the lives of various people, the general public, as well as individuals, institutions and states. Archives are highly important in preserving title to different rights, being a historical scientific research source and reference as well as a  national identity essential pillar contributing to objectively presenting historic facts to aid decision-makers in taking the right decisions.
The archives, in its role as the memory of the nation, represents the nation’s civilization and values, and is an important information source on which researchers rely to perceive the future, and through its treasures and holdings, generations pass on experiences, draw knowledge, and benefit from ancestors’ various successful experiences, which will inevitably result in a general development in all aspects of life.
HE added: The seminars’ topics and diverse artistic or poetry evenings and events enrich the Emirati cultural scene and movement. The cultural season’s planned seminars include a large number of leading, successful and creative experts, specialists and speakers with greaat expertise to recount, and enrich the presented lecture topics’ useful content with recent updates. His Excellency added that the National Library and Archives virtually presented the activities of its cultural season entitled " Archiving is Life" via interactive social media platforms, in line with its mission to disseminate knowledge and its parallel commitment and adherence to Precautionary measures to counter and contain the spread of COVID-19.
HE pointed out that the seminars’ lecture topics shall be published and made available by National Library and Archives to benefit Knowledge seekers and interested parties to help disseminate knowledge, exchange expertise, and enrich Arab Libraries with leading Emirati experiences of which we are immensely proud.