New publications and events documenting the last fifty years and celebrating the next fifty years

The National Archives participates in Sharjah International Book Fair 2021

The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs participates in the 40th Edition of Sharjah International Book Fair 2021, given its interest in bridging the gap between the readership and its publications specialized in the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region as well as its activities and cultural events pertaining to its main objective of preserving and making the Nation’s memory accessible. The NA emphasizes in its publications and events the importance of its role in documenting the last fifty years of the UAE history and planning for the next fifty years in line with the approach adopted by the wise leadership.

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah, reviewed the latest NA publication, Zayed, The Saadiyat Miracle and listened to the explanation given by H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, NA Executive Director, for the book during his visit to the book fair.

The NA pavilion at the book fair celebrated the publication of its latest book, Zayed, The Saadiyat Miracle, which identifies Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan efforts in agriculture and agricultural lands reclamation in Al Saadiyat Island when he was the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The pavilion includes the new issue of Liwa journal, which is a refereed academic journal dedicated to the study of the history, heritage and archeology of the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region. In this issue, the journal highlights historical subjects, most notably “Arabia from the Perspective of the Moroccans in the 11th Century Hijri”, “The Omani Military Forces in the 17th and 19th Centuries”, “Al Saidiya Schools: An Academic, Cultural and Educational Phenomenon” and “Weapons Trading in the Gulf”.

Moreover, the book, Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, 1793-1966, will be available, in the pavilion, in various languages, most prominently Arabic, English, French and Russian. It focuses on the history of the 11 Al Bu Falah Rulers, rulers of Abu Dhabi for nearly two centuries. Qasr Al Hosn served as the royal residence and administrative headquarters of the Al Bu Falah Rulers.

During the book fair, the NA organizes many events in the context of educational programs such as virtual tours, educational reading workshops, etc. This is in addition to a number of lectures such as Subtitling and Debugging Translation Challenges, the NA Efforts in Documenting Oral History, Electronic Archiving, Academic Research Resources of the UAE History, The Emirates Library of the NA: Researchers Portal of Knowledge, etc.

With regard to the NA participation in the book fair, H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, NA Executive Director, said: “The participation of the National Archives in the 40th Edition of Sharjah International Book Fair reflects the importance of this fair, which is a global cultural phenomenon and one of the major fairs in the world. Its new edition is a key cultural event that highlights the UAE’s interest in books and belief in the importance of fostering the relation of generations with books as they serve as the main instrument for development. The National Archives will make the optimal use of the fair days by providing educational programs and lectures that keep the fair visitors closer to the Nation’s memory while they continue the procession of development for the next fifty years”.

“The National Archives presents its distinctive publications to the fair visitors and participants. The pavilion holdings will enrich the book fair with significant aspects of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan biography, which the National Archives strives to document in its publications so it would serve as a resource for the next generations and as an example of serving the future of the homeland. Furthermore, the pavilion will contain books that point out chapters of the UAE documented history and present the biography of the great leader who promoted the UAE to reach a prestigious global rank”, he added.

His Excellency expressed his hope that the book fair will act as a forum for the exchange of experience and knowledge and enhancing mutual cooperation. He assured that the Emirates Library at the NA will spare no effort during the book fair days to search for new and rare publications pertaining to the NA interest and objectives in order to enrich its collections and meet the need of its visitors including researchers, academics and those interested in the UAE history and heritage.

The Executive Director emphasized that the NA will offer its publications showcased in its pavilion at discounted prices.