Qatar National Library Hosts Workshop on Islamic Manuscript Papers

Press release

Published April 7th, 2019 - 05:49 GMT

During the Workshop

Researchers, manuscript experts, and conservators from Qatar and across the region attended a five-day training course at Qatar National Library.

Organized by the Library and IFLA’s Regional Preservation and Conservation Center, the intensive training course, “Why and How to Identify and Classify Islamic Manuscript Papers,” took place from 31 March to 4 April.

Renowned papyrologist and codicologist, Dr. Anne Regourd, shared best practices with participants during the training session that focused on a selection of Islamic manuscripts used between 7^thto 20^thcenturies.

“Paper studies are developing in many ways, and we have new discoveries and improvements in this field to explore,” said Dr. Regourd. “I am delighted to deliver this course on new materials in the field for experts in Qatar and from across the Arab region. The fact that the Library is interested in such topics and brings experts from other countries is very encouraging and it is a good news for the preservation and conservation of historical manuscripts.”

Participants learned about the different media used by Arab scribes and copyists to write Islamic manuscripts, and highlighted tools commonly used for paper identification in the Islamic world.

Conservator and art historian, Nil Baydar, who works at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey, attended the workshop, and said: “The course was very interesting for me because it provided me with practical knowledge to use in a project on Islamic manuscript papers that I currently work on with a relevant institution in Turkey. I learned several new topics such as the use of European paper in Islamic manuscripts and other.”

“The lecture offered very interesting information about the history of manuscripts and especially about the paper of manuscripts. This is a unique workshop as it covered an important topic for the first time in the Arab region. I am very happy to be here at the Library and fascinated by the conservation and research facilities here,” said Yousef Derghan, Director of the Collection of Manuscripts at the main library in Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon.

Background Information

Qatar National Library

Qatar National Library acts as a steward of Qatar’s national heritage by collecting, preserving and making available the country’s recorded history. In its role as a research library with a preeminent heritage library, the Library fosters and promotes greater global insight into the history and culture of the Gulf region. As a public library, we provide equal access for all of Qatar's residents to an environment that supports creativity, independent decision-making, and cultural development. Through all our functions, we provide leadership to the country’s library and cultural heritage sector.