The National Library and Archives confirmed that the translation of Sheikh Zayed’s poetry into English would enhance the UAE’s image on the global cultural map.
The National Library and Archives confirmed that the translation of Sheikh Zayed’s poetry into English would enhance the UAE’s image on the global cultural map.
The National Library and Archives organized a lecture entitled: “Emirati Literature in Global Contexts: Translating Sheikh Zayed’s Poetry into English as a Model”. The lecture stressed the importance of translating Emirati heritage into English to enhance the image of the UAE on the global cultural map. The lecture pointed out that at the forefront of Emirati literature are the poems of the founder and builder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – may God rest his soul. From this standpoint, the lecture shed light on Zayed’s Nabati poetry, inspired by his exploits and noble morals, and stemming from his soul, and his yearning for glory. Apparently, Zayed’s Nabati poetry sprang from the glorious history of the UAE and its ancient cultural heritage.
The lecture, presented by Professor Saddik Gohar, the National Library and Archives translation expert, who confirmed that there are similarities between Sheikh Zayed’s poetry and the poems of major British poets. This affinity enhances the importance of the translation Sheikh Zayed’s poetry into English due to the depth of its meanings and the accuracy of its connotations. Gohar demonstrated that the translation would locate the UAE authentic popular literature in its appropriate place within global cultural contexts and on academic research platforms affiliated with historical and cultural studies. Since the Nabati poetry of Sheikh Zayed is a reflection of the Emirati oral heritage, its translation will inevitably open new horizons for critical research in the fields of oral literature and Emirati studies.
The lecture reviewed the original and authentic cultural sources of Sheikh Zayed’s poetry illustrating his learning journey, which started in the mosque school (Kuttab) at the hands of Al-Mutawa. He learned the Qur’an, the biography of the Prophet, the fundamentals of religion, and the Arabic language. On the other hand, he derived the culture of his society from his father’s gatherings, where he learned customs and traditions, listened to poetry, and excelled in memorizing and composing Nabataean poetry. This increased his closeness to the poets with whom he entered into poetic dialogues. This rich background distinguished his poems as intellectual and cultural masterpieces depicting the Emirati cultural and civilizational diversity, and reflecting his insightful vision of life in the desert, oases, and various other environments in the Emirates.
Sheikh Zayed infused his poems with a local specificity that highlights the importance of preserving heritage, pride in the cultural achievements of the Emirates, and pride in local national traditions and heritage. Sheikh Zayed’s poems express his interest in horses, camels and falcons, and reveal his early interest in environmental issues, and some of them are full of advice directed to the young generations. Most of Sheikh Zayed’s poems overflow with wisdom and aim to strengthen the ties between various segments of the Emirati society, and this is what gives his poetry distinction paving the way for its translation into English as a historical archive and literary record of local cultural heritage.
The lecture emphasized that Sheikh Zayed’s poetry highlights his courage, chivalry, and exploits that make him a role model for generations, in addition to his love for his country, his loyalty to his people, and the tremendous efforts he made throughout his life to elevate his people and nation, and take pride in national identity.
The lecture presented a number of Nabataean poems selected from the poetry of Sheikh Zayed in English translation. The lecture highlighted their similarities- in terms of the main ideas and themes in poetry, interest in the local environment, and pride in the homeland and its heritage- with the poems of the most important British poets during the Elizabethan era who were concerned with environmental issues in their poems during the seventeenth century. The lecture illustrated that this similarity gives Sheikh Zayed’s poetry a global dimension and an international reputation.
