DUBAI, 6th April, 2017 (WAM) -- Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Culture, yesterday hosted an event to celebrate "Arab Manuscript Day" at Dubai Public Library's Al Twar branch, in collaboration with Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage.

Visitors attended an Arabic Manuscript in Risk lecture, which saw the participation of many specialists who educated the audience about the historical and cultural significance of manuscripts.

Speaking on the occasion, Fahad Al Mamari, Director of Dubai Public Library at Dubai Culture, said, "We at Dubai Culture are delighted to collaborate with one of the most important cultural and heritage centres in UAE and the region, to shed light on preserving historical Arab manuscripts. Visitors learned about the various new techniques that can be used to save manuscripts from damage, and restore and preserve them for future generations to enjoy."Dr. Mohammed Kamel Jad, General Director of Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage, added, "Arab Manuscript Day is an important occasion for people to learn about the importance of manuscripts, which carry the history of our forefathers, and the risks they face in different parts of the world. People also gained insights into the efforts made by the Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage to restore and digitalise manuscripts.

"As an Emirati association, especially in West Africa and southern Asia, we have established 40 permanent labs in 23 counties to restore Arab manuscripts and save them from damage and loss. We have also built well-equipped digital labs that digitalise 30 thousand manuscripts daily, and as a result, have been recognised this year by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States for our efforts in preserving manuscript history," Dr. Jad added.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.