Arab Folk Literature Session Enriches Discussions at Sharjah Heritage Days
Sharjah – 14 February 2026
At Bait Al Naboodah in Sharjah, a thought-provoking session titled “Folk Literature in the Arab World” was held as part of the Sharjah Heritage Days programme. The session brought together a distinguished group of researchers and academics who presented diverse perspectives on the presence of folk literature and its role in preserving Arab cultural memory.
Andalusian Influence and Future Vision
Dr. Aliaa Maa Al-Aynain from Morocco opened the session with a paper exploring the influence of Andalusian heritage on Arab folk literature. Dr. Mostafa Gad from Egypt followed with a forward-looking vision on the future of this literature and its prospects for development amid contemporary cultural transformations.
Folk Heritage in the Face of Modern Technologies
Dr. Khaled Abu Al-Leil discussed the authenticity of folk heritage and its resilience in confronting the challenges of artificial intelligence, stressing the importance of documenting and safeguarding it as a cornerstone of Arab cultural identity.
Folk Poetry and Documenting Emirati Society
Dr. Rashid Al-Mazrouei from the UAE concluded the session with a paper focusing on the role of folk poetry in recording the details of social life in the Emirates, describing it as a living record of the community’s history and values.
Integration of Perspectives and Enriched Dialogue
Session chair Dr. Salem Al-Tunaiji noted that the presented papers complemented one another in addressing various aspects of folk literature. Each researcher approached the topic from a different angle, helping clarify multiple heritage-related concepts and significantly enriching the scholarly discussion.