Researchers spark insightful dialogue at 2nd Heritage Conference

Participants discussed how Western writings have addressed Arab folk heritage, examining the accuracy of documentation and the cultural impressions conveyed, while critically analysing orientalist perspectives. These topics were explored through research papers and analytical presentations that reflected the depth and diversity of the scholarly engagement.

Folk Heritage in Western Travel Writings: Between Documentation and Distortion

The first session, chaired by Dr Hamad bin Sarai, featured a presentation by Kuwaiti researcher Talal Al Rumaidhi on the French traveller Albert Londres and his documentation of the lives of pearl divers in the Gulf in 1930, highlighting the harsh conditions they faced.

Bahraini researcher Mohammed Nasser Louri discussed the accuracy and cultural bias in Western travel writings, showcasing efforts to translate four key works that reflect this heritage.

Egyptian researcher Ahmed Bahi Eldin traced the beginnings of the study of intangible cultural heritage in Western thought, emphasising that orientalist narratives laid the groundwork for the field of folklore studies.

Qatari researcher Mohammed Al Balushi concluded the session by highlighting the importance of visual documents, such as maps and paintings, in recording Arab heritage during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Arab Heritage in the Mirror of Orientalists

In the second session, Dr Ahmed Abdelrahim Nasr, researcher Mohammed Issam Al Hajjar, Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi, and Dr Adel Kassadi discussed Arab folk heritage through the lens of European travel literature, emphasizing the value of orientalist studies and their archival records.

Dr Saleh Al Luhaibi addressed the treatment of manuscript heritage in exploratory journeys and its role in enriching cultural knowledge.

Dr Adel Kassadi highlighted travel accounts as important historical sources documenting the cultural legacy of Socotra Island, noting the interaction between different communities over time.

Images of Arab Cities in Western Writings

The third session featured a paper by Dr Rabie Ahmed Sayed, examining how orientalist art contributed to documenting Islamic architecture, with a focus on the works of Venetian painter Gentile Bellini.

Dr Hassan Amili discussed the travels of French poet Jean-Antoine Roucher in the Arabian Peninsula in the late 18th century, showcasing his observations in Yemen, Egypt, and Syria.

Dr Salem Al Tunaiji explored recurring themes in travel literature, such as clothing and rituals, demonstrating how stereotypical images of the East were shaped—caught between admiration and reservation.

Dr Mu’jib Al-Zahrani concluded the session with a presentation on the portrayal of Arab heritage in French novels, citing “The Golden Droplet” by Michel Tournier as a case study.

Reflections on Travellers’ Writings About Arab Cities

The final session focused on depictions of Arab cities in Western travel literature and featured contributions from researchers Rania Al Anzi, Fatima Al Mazrouei, Fatima Al Mansouri, Dr Osama Ladqani, and engineer Sultan Al Hammadi.

Rania Al Anzi emphasised the value of travel as a means of understanding peoples and their cultures.

Fatima Al Mazrouei highlighted the significance of the writings of German traveller Hermann Burchardt in documenting daily life and architecture in the Arabian Peninsula during the 19th century.

Fatima Al Mansouri underscored the importance of British documents in studying the history of Abu Dhabi and the UAE more broadly.

Dr Osama Ladqani shed light on how Arabs and Arabists contributed to the enrichment of global scientific heritage through the Arabic language.

Engineer Sultan Al-Hammadi elaborated on the strategic role of historical sites and coastal cities overlooking the Sea of Oman in the political and commercial history of the Arabian Peninsula.

Discussions that Open Future Horizons

This day, rich in heritage discourse, reflected the conference’s commitment to highlighting how Arab heritage is viewed through the lens of the other—through critical academic inquiry and intellectual analysis.

Participants offered in-depth insights that enrich research pathways and open the door for cultural dialogue that transcends geographical borders, reinforcing Arab heritage’s place in the global arena.

The conference also underscored the importance of rigorous scholarly documentation in correcting stereotypes and deepening self-understanding through the mirror of the other.