The National Library and Archives held its fifth symposium of its cultural season 2022
And discussed the role of literature and folk arts in documenting the history of the nation.
The National Library and Archives organized its fifth symposium entitled, “Literary Publications Documenting The History of the Nation” as part of its cultural season 2022, in which a number of leading Writers, Researchers and Authors participated, discussing the close relationship between literature, history and documentation, since literature plays an important role in history, and historians rely on it as a primary source to learn details of a particular historical period. Some participants discussed their research and writing experience in documenting the history of the nation.
The symposium was held at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Hall at the National Library and Archives headquarters in the presence of H.E. Abdulla Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, and with the participation of H.E. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Musallam, President of the Sharjah Heritage Institute, Researcher and Writer Ali Ahmed Al Kindi, Researcher and Writer Abdullah Al Muhairi, Ms. Sheikha Al-Jabri, Media Advisor at the Family Development Foundation in Abu Dhabi, and the symposium was moderated by Dr. Hazaa Al Naqbi, Head of the Government Archives Section at the National Library and Archives.
At the beginning of the symposium, H.E. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Musallam stressed the importance of the historical narratives and their great role in documenting the history of the nation, besides the role of some historians, oral narratives, and poetry, with their wide presence in the various councils (Majalis), in recording the different aspects of the history of the nation.
H.E. Dr. Al Musallam discussed the experience of the Sharjah Heritage Institute in publishing books specialized in local, Gulf, Arab and international cultural heritage, and how it takes great interest in the books form and content’s quality to attract readers and book buyers, pointing out the importance of many of the institute's publications as they uncover important pages of the UAE history and heritage.
Dr. Al Musallam stressed the importance of writers and researchers’ full engagement in and dedication to scientific achievement, to continue their vital work on documenting the memory of the nation, as, with time and increased research they shall develop their skills and potential, and enrich the cultural arena and national libraries with their valuable national achievements.
The Researcher and Author, Ali Ahmed Al-Kindi Al Marar spoke about his being honored by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his research and studies on the history and heritage of Al Dhafra region issued by the National Library and Archives and launched at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2022, and expressed his great happiness and pride for meeting His Highness the UAE President and for presenting his Highness with his book:  "Al-Dhafra region’s Historical water resources", noting the great interest invested by the UAE wise leadership in research and studies on the history and heritage of the nation.
Al-Kindi stressed the importance of literary works in documenting the memory of the nation, and presented many living examples of Nabataean poetry and folk arts that played a significant role in the documentation of various places and times in the memory of the UAE, explaining that he himself highly benefited in his works from the various literary genres and folk arts, as stated in the poetry of Abdullah bin Slayim Al-Falasi, Rashid Al Khalawi in 1590, Saeed bin Atij Al-Hamli, and Ahmed Bin Balid Al Marar. The Researcher also tackled the most important events and place indications in these poems.
The Researcher and Writer Abdullah Al Muhairi presented his experience in accomplishing his book "Immigrants from Al-Dhafra: The Migration of bin Zarraf As a Model", and pointed out that he was so interested in and impressed by the local writings and oral narratives’ scattered texts on tribal migrations, that he decided to register all excerpts and poems on ancient tribal migrations he came across, and has eventually gathered a selection of rare texts which he thoroughly researched and studied from various historic, genealogic and genetic aspects to understand their demographic nature, and causes, as well as define their trends, and migrators’ origins. He pointed out that he benefited from the UAE Human Genome Project, as he adopted in his study two research approaches: the theoretical and applied scientific approaches based on DNA tests and applications.
Ms. Sheikha Al Jabri presented her personal experience in her literary works on heritage, most notably the books titled "Women's Jewelry and apparel in the United Arab Emirates", and "yaqoul Al Mutawasef”, and depicted many examples that illustrate the role of poetry and literature in documenting Emirati places and regions as known by the UAE people.
Ms. Al Jabri praised the book titled: “Wayn Al-Troush” or “Where are the Messengers” and its documented information that chronicles UAE desert places and travels’ memories. She requested the National Library and Archives to allocate a special place or section for researchers working on heritage and history documentation, and to speed up its collection of oral narratives for its project for the collection and preservation of oral history to avoid wasting or losing any part of the UAE history or heritage, and to utilize and employ such information as possible into academic curricula to pass it on to future generations to take pride in.
The symposium was concluded with a speech by His Excellency the Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, in which he thanked all participants and praised their valuable ideas and input. H.E. stressed that after the National Library and Archives Headquarters’ renovation and development it shall be fully equipped with a dedicated place for Emirati researchers on history and heritage, and that the National Library and Archives shall always consistently support researchers and all interested in history and heritage, and will take care of the naval history of the UAE, and shall work on reviving Emirati folk arts because of their historical documentation importance, and because they cheer and amuse people. The NLA shall take equal interest, similar to its interest in Al-Dhafra, in other regions of the different emirates, as each region has its history and heritage which constitutes an integral part of the history of the nation that should be preserved in the National Library and Archives for future generations.
At the end of the symposium the National Library and Archives held an honoring ceremony for the participants and presented them with certificates of appreciation and shields.