HoW's Travelogues Exhibition Welcomes Nearly 13,000 Visitors Over Four Months

The House of Wisdom (HoW) in Sharjah recently concluded its "Travelogues" exhibition, part of the "Chapters from Islamic Art" series. Over four months, nearly 13,000 visitors explored this cultural and visual journey. The exhibition celebrated the significant contributions of Muslim explorers, geographers, and cartographers to geography, navigation, and world mapping during the Islamic Golden Age.

The "Travelogues" exhibition was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It featured rare books from the late Professor Richard Ettinghausen's collection. These books, gifted by His Highness, include over 12,000 volumes on Islamic history, art, and sciences.

Spanning more than 13 centuries of intellectual achievements, the exhibition highlighted the work of notable Muslim travellers and scholars like Ibn Khordadbeh and Ibn Battuta. It demonstrated how travel writing evolved into a disciplined science with specific purposes and methods that advanced cartography and navigation.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director at HoW, emphasised that the exhibition was not just about manuscripts and maps. She described it as a journey into the intellectual legacy of Islamic civilisation. This legacy bridges generations with the Arab world's rich contributions to human and geographical sciences.

The strong public interest in the exhibition indicates a growing appreciation for a civilisation whose impact is still felt today. Marwa Al Aqroubi noted that HoW is committed to creating cultural experiences that reinterpret the region's scientific heritage through a modern lens. This effort aims to inspire pride in new generations while positioning Sharjah as a global hub for cultural exchange.

The exhibition was realised through collaboration with several institutions. These included the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, Sharjah Museums Authority, Manuscripts House in Sharjah, and King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia.

This collaborative effort brought to life an engaging exploration of historical insights and cultural connections. The initiative underscores Sharjah's role as a centre for historical insight and cultural dialogue on a global stage.

With inputs from WAM