With participants from the UAE, US, Australia and Brazil,
The National Library and Archives Continues the Necessary Preparations for the Third Edition of the International Oral History Conference
The National Library and Archives continues its preparations for the third UAE International Oral History Conference, “MARWYAT”, which will take place on November 11, 2024, under the theme: “Their Memory Our History: Methods of Sustainability and Knowledge Preservation in Oral History”. This conference complements the previous two editions, highlighting the importance of oral history as an effective method for recording and preserving personal memories and events witnessed or experienced by the narrator that have since faded with time. Oral history serves as a significant source for capturing events that have not been included in written history, making oral narratives one of the most important resources for understanding the history of nations and peoples.
Researchers and experts participating in the third edition of the UAE International Oral History Conference have prepared specialized research papers and presentations on the following themes: “Pearls: A Source of Mystery, Elegance, and Attraction”, “Learning and Mutual Heritage among Generations”, “The Connection between National Identity, Heritage, and Traditional Music”, and “Methods of Oral History Sustainability: Models from Three Countries”.
Regarding this third edition of the conference, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: “he UAE International Oral History Conference has proven its scientific and cultural significance, which is why we are keen to hold it annually. The National Library and Archives has relied on the oral narratives of senior citizens and residents to fill in the gaps missing from the written history of the UAE. It is understood that the rich oral history interviews, filled with accurate historical information, have documented the stages of the country’s development. Therefore, the third edition of the conference is an important addition, as it reaffirms the vital national role played by the National Library and Archives in recording past life events, making them available to researchers and students, and preserving them for future generations to understand their history and move confidently and steadily toward the future”.
He added: As we celebrate the annual organization of the UAE International Oral History Conference, we affirm that this celebration is the culmination of what we have achieved over the course of a full year in this field. The current edition will witness the launch of the fourth volume of the series “Their Memory Our History”. We all know that this series is the result of documenting oral narratives and transforming them from intangible form into scholarly writing, making them a reliable reference for researchers in history and cultural heritage. The conference has successfully underlined the importance of oral history and its role in enriching and empowering knowledge societies”.
His Excellency emphasized the National Library and Archives’ commitment to sustaining the elements of national identity and the oral history narratives to deepen future generations’ understanding of the UAE’s history and heritage, the source of our pride and honor.
Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Head of the Oral History Team and the conference organizing committee, emphasized the importance of this event by saying: “The UAE International Oral History Conference has become one of the annual conferences that academics and researchers are keen to participate in and attend to benefit from the knowledge of experts and specialists, acquire technical skills, learn about best practices and internationally recognized standards, and understand rights, responsibilities, and effective methodologies”.
The importance of the conference, organized by the National Library and Archives, is further enhanced by its role in community service; as it contributes to promoting the culture of documentation and preservation of documents, raising awareness about how to process, sort, analyze, and write information to ensure sustainable benefits in the future.