Sharjah24: The Portuguese University of Coimbra will be showcasing 60 historical artefacts encompassing manuscripts, rare books, engravings, maps, nautical instruments, works of art, and daily use items, at the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), taking place at the Sharjah Expo Centre from 1-12 November. The awe-inspiring collection includes a 17th-century rare astrolabe which was used during the navigations for more accurate measurements of the stars' placement, as well as a map of the Gulf and the Western Indian Ocean, produced in 1571.
Visitors can also look forward to three enlightening academic lectures, organised by The Center for the History of Society and Culture at the University of Coimbra, featuring a host of renowned historians and experts as they discuss the history of Portuguese relations with the Gulf.
The Portuguese University's participation at SIBF aims to educate visitors about the historical relationship that existed between the Gulf and the world, contributing to the enhancement of cross-cultural communication and dialogue between world cultures and civilisations. Through exhibiting the rare artefacts, the University of Coimbra also seeks to offer an inclusive understanding of the region's history in the early modern age, while emphasising the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Navigating the sixteenth-century
In the first of the three lectures organised by the University of Coimbra taking place on Friday, November 3, at 5:30 pm, Jorge Flores, Senior Researcher at the Interuniversity Centre for the History of Sciences and Technology (CIUHCT) - University of Lisbon, will speak about 'Navigating the Gulf in the Sixteenth Century', and showcase photographs from the Gulf region, bringing the spotlight into the role of trade in forming Europe's perceptions of the region.
Portuguese imagination of the Gulf region
Visitors can look forward to the second lecture in the series titled "Visualising the Gulf in the Early Modern Age: Pearls in the Portuguese Imagination and Culture" and will be held on Saturday, November 4, at 11:00 am. It will see Angela Barreto Xavier, Researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS-U Lisbon), speak about the cultural and historical relations between Portugal and the Gulf in both old and modern ages.
She will discuss the impact of the mental image established by those relations on nurturing Portuguese imagination, stories, and novels about the Gulf. The lecture highlights the importance of bolstering studies and academic research in a better understanding of cultural relations and the reciprocal cultural impact of the world's civilisations and countries.
The Gulf and the globalisation of architecture
Walter Rossa, Professor at the University of Coimbra, will deliver the final lecture in this series themed 'The Gulf within the First Globalization of Architectural Forms: Portuguese Fortifications Network', on Sunday, November 5, at 11:00 am. The lecture will address the impact of Portuguese presence in the region on the development of architecture in the Gulf, which saw significant evolution in architectural design and made the most of international experiences, fusing them with local cultural elements.
The lecture underscores that the progress of architecture in the Gulf throughout history gives us insights into the future vision of the Gulf countries, and contributes to highlighting their efforts to keep up with global progress while preserving their identity, expressing the importance of studying history and its role in forming the future of communities.
Through this captivating exhibition and engaging lectures, SIBF's collaboration with the University of Coimbra aims to foster cross-cultural communication and dialogue, emphasising the importance of preserving this rich history for future generations. This event aims to be a testament to the enduring connection between timelines and nations, where history serves as a guiding light for shaping the destiny of our diverse and interconnected world.
For an optimal experience, please
