World’s largest conference on Arabic language to explore Arabic literature’s journey through the ages

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) – part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi – has revealed details of its upcoming ‘Foundations and Trans/Formations of Arabic Literary Theory’ conference, taking place from 14 to 17 December 2021 at Columbia University, Faculty House.

The SZBA is organising the academic gathering — the world’s largest conference on Arabic language — in collaboration with Columbia University’s Institute for Comparative Literature and Society, and Brill Academic Publishers. It will host 36 Arab and international researchers and experts in literature and literary critique.

The conference aims to shed light on literary theory and its evolution from the pre-modern era until the present day, in addition to highlighting prominent issues surrounding Arabic literature. Discussions will cover a range of topics surrounding Arabic literary theory and its notable transformations.

His Excellency Dr Ali bin Tamim, Secretary-General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and ALC Chairman, said: “This conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the world and will delve deep into the evolution of Arabic literature through time, analysing its transformation with leading experts in the field. This conference is a key element of the strong and productive partnership we have with Columbia University, offering a prominent platform for experts and researchers to shed light on a foundational component of our Arab culture. This, in turn, supports our strategic objectives at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to advance the Arabic language and promote its aesthetic qualities and the value it has to offer – particularly through Arabic literature.”

Dr. Muhsin al-Musawi, Professor of Middle East, South Asia and Africa Studies at Columbia University, said, “The conference presents a great opportunity for experts and researchers to discuss themes related to Arab literary theory and analyse the notions that surround it from a new analytical perspective. Announced in 2019 but postponed to this year due to the pandemic, the event is an important area of collaboration between Columbia University and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.”

The inaugural conference is being held under the title ‘Foundations and Trans/Formations of Arabic Literary Theory: Prospects and Limitations’, offering sessions that tackle numerous topics

on literary theory and its evolution, as well as issues related to Arabic literature in general. The agenda also includes a session to honour the memory of renowned researcher Dr. Jaroslav Stetkevych, who won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s Cultural Personality of the Year in 2019.

Sessions will also discuss contemporary challenges in Arabic literature and explore decolonisation as a theory. Discussions also cover various topics, such as ‘Theorizing the Classical’, ‘Locations of Arabic Literary Theory’ and ‘The Circulations of Theory’.

The next edition of the conference is set to be held in the second quarter of 2022. Exact dates may be subject to change, depending on health and travel conditions.

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