SBA's Arabic Language Festival In Milan Highlights Cultural Influence And Dialogue Across Borders

Milan is currently hosting the 8th International Festival of Arabic Language and Culture, sponsored by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA). The event, themed "The migrating tongue: Arabic without borders," highlights the global impact of the Arabic language. Over four days, it brings together 30 scholars, authors, and intellectuals from 18 countries to celebrate Arabic as a cultural bridge fostering cross-border dialogue.

The festival is organised by the Arabic Cultural Institute at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in collaboration with the Arabic Language Research Centre. Key figures at the event include Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Professor Giovanni Gobber, Dean of Linguistic Sciences and Foreign Literatures; and Professor Wael Farouq, Director of the Institute and academic coordinator for the event.

Ahmed Al Ameri emphasised in his keynote speech that Arabic has been pivotal in shaping global civilisation. He noted its role in channeling knowledge from East to West since ancient times. "As we gather today, we are reminded of a journey that began more than a thousand years ago, when the physician Constantine the African travelled to Italy carrying Arabic medical texts. This marked the beginning of a new chapter, where Arabic became a gateway to previously unknown sciences," he stated.

Al Ameri also highlighted His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision. "That legacy continues to this day, embodied in the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who consistently affirms that language is not just a means of communication, but a vessel of culture and a bridge to mutual understanding," he added.

Dr. Wael Farouq discussed how Arabic is transcending its traditional boundaries. "We are witnessing a new phase in the journey of the Arabic language as it moves beyond its traditional geographic and cultural boundaries," he said. This year's conference gathers Arab and Western intellectuals to explore this phenomenon further.

The festival examines two main themes: teaching Arabic to non-native speakers and exploring contemporary diaspora literature. The first theme focuses on revising curricula in grammar, morphology, and rhetoric for Western learners. The second theme delves into contemporary literature by Arab writers in Western countries.

Cultural Exchange Through Literature

The festival's programme includes panel discussions led by prominent authors and researchers. These sessions highlight cultural exchanges between East and West through various artistic events such as visual art exhibitions, musical performances, and poetry readings.

Dr. Farouq noted how migration has reshaped cultural relationships over two decades. "Over the past two decades, rising migration from the Arab world to the West has reshaped the relationship between the two cultures," he explained. This shift has elevated Arabic language and literature's role globally.

The festival concludes with a concert by an Arabic language student choir at Catholic University of Sacred Heart. This performance celebrates both linguistic vitality and cultural convergence.

With inputs from WAM