2nd Heritage Conference launches new publications

These releases represent a significant addition to the heritage and knowledge library, aiming to shed light on the image of Arab heritage in the eyes of travellers and orientalists, while opening new horizons for researchers in the field of travel literature and comparative heritage studies.

New Books and Publications on Travellers’ Heritage

Among the publications launched at the conference were “Cursetjee’s Journey to the Gulf” and “Heritage Cities in the Arab World”, both authored by His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam. Other titles included “UAE Heritage in Travel Literature” by Dr Mani Bounama, “Antar” by Alphonse de Lamartine, translated by Dr Shaker Nouri, “Countries of the Arab World in the Paintings of Orientalists” by Dr Rabee Ahmed Sayyed, and “Lights of the East Shine in the Mirror of the West” by Dr Osama Ladhqani.

Intellectual and Cultural Engagement

The book signing ceremony was attended by a number of researchers and conference participants, who expressed their interest in the new releases and praised the diversity of topics and richness of academic content.

Attendees engaged in discussions with the authors about their research experiences and the questions raised by the books regarding Arab heritage through the lens of others, in an interactive atmosphere reflecting the vibrancy of the cultural scene.

Documenting Folk Culture

His Excellency Dr Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, stated that the signing of the new publications is an extension of the Institute’s ongoing efforts to document folk culture and reinforce its presence in academic and intellectual circles. He affirmed that publishing is a key part of the heritage preservation project, presenting it with a contemporary vision.

Rigorous Research Endeavours

The Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage explained that these books represent the culmination of advanced research efforts, prepared by a distinguished group of authors specialising in travel literature, orientalism, and heritage studies. These works contribute to deepening mutual understanding between nations, offering multiple perspectives on heritage and reflecting the diversity of interpretations of Arab culture as seen by others. Presented in a scientific and methodical format, the publications open new avenues for readers to understand the self and the place of their heritage within diverse cultural contexts.

The Book as a Gateway to Dialogue

He noted that the signing ceremony honours the content before the author, and reflects a firm belief that the book remains the most important means of preserving identity, documenting collective memory, and engaging with the world through the language of knowledge and dialogue.