“Sharjah Institute for Heritage” Concludes the Conference “Folk Heritage through the Eyes of Others”
Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam: The Conference Opened Wide Windows on Travel Literature
The Sharjah Institute for Heritage concluded the activities of the Second Heritage Conference, held under the theme “Folk Heritage through the Eyes of Others”, at the Institute’s Arab Heritage Center in University City, Sharjah. The two-day conference brought together a distinguished group of researchers, academics, and experts from within the UAE and abroad, representing more than 20 Arab and foreign countries.
The conference featured in-depth discussions on manifestations of folk heritage as seen by others through scholarly sessions, research papers, and specialized workshops covering diverse topics in documentation and cultural studies.
At the closing ceremony, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, President of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, accompanied by Abu Bakr Al-Kindi, Director of the Institute, and Dr. Saif Al-Badwawi, the Conference’s Person of Honor for this year, honored contributors for their outstanding efforts in preserving folk heritage and their academic work in documenting the components of cultural identity in the UAE and the region. Speakers, conference guests, and strategic partners were also recognized for their role in the success of this prominent cultural event.
In his closing speech, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam said:
“With its theme ‘Folk Heritage through the Eyes of Others,’ the conference marked a significant milestone in heritage knowledge. It opened wide windows on travel literature and revealed detailed, multifaceted aspects of how others perceive our folk heritage. These sessions and scholarly papers represent a deep step toward re-reading Western travelogues with a critical Arab perspective, restoring balance and giving due recognition to our cultural voice.”
He added:
“At the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, we believe that engaging with what has been written about us is a cultural necessity, and approaching this externally written heritage requires solid scientific tools and responsible critical awareness. The dialogue, diversity, and differences witnessed over these two days constitute an intellectual wealth upon which we will build future conferences, publications, and research, placing our heritage at the heart of global cultural discourse and providing researchers and enthusiasts with new paths to understand the self through the mirror of the other.”
Abu Bakr Al-Kindi commented:
“We take pride in the rich scientific discussions and the high level of contributions at the Second Heritage Conference, which confirmed that folk heritage remains alive and meaningful, forming a strong foundation for intercultural dialogue and exchange.”
Dr. Saif Al-Badwawi expressed his sincere gratitude to the Sharjah Institute for Heritage for this generous recognition, praising the Institute’s pioneering role in supporting researchers and heritage advocates. He added:
“This honor is not merely a celebration of me personally, but a recognition of everyone committed to heritage preservation and documentation. This initiative will continue to inspire further contributions in the path of research and knowledge.”
Prof. Dr. Mouni Bounaama, Director of Content at the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and Conference Coordinator, praised the success of the event and the level of engagement throughout the program. He noted that the topics addressed reflect collective awareness of the importance of viewing folk heritage through the eyes of others, demonstrate a forward-looking vision that strengthens documentation and critical analysis efforts, and open broader horizons for researchers and specialists in this field.