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If you want to know how and why our world is like it is, documentation of history and culture is crucial. It helps us to understand our past, which in turn allows us to understand our present. The UAE’s National Library and Archives has collaborated with the Emirates Literature Foundation to launch a program highlighting the importance of documenting Arab history and culture. 

Called the Knowledge Circle, the series will be held monthly from September 20 to next March, featuring speakers from the UAE and across the globe who will discuss how archives have played a role in shaping the region, from its early Islamic period to the present day.

Similarly, the program will focus on how archives have been an agent of preservation for Arab history and have been used to document culture and develop an understanding of the Arab region.

“The National Library and Archives are committed to the preservation of archival content and ensuring that it is available and accessible to the public, and raising awareness of the importance of maintaining a record of documents for their role in safeguarding the nation’s memory,” said Abdullah Majid Al-Ali, the NLA’s director-general.

The Knowledge Circle is part of NLA’s second cultural season, looking to raise awareness of the significance of information.

Isobel Abulhoul, founder, advisor, and trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation, says the program is “an important initiative that reflects our commitment to providing opportunities for individuals to deepen their understanding of cultural development.”