Dubai, UAE, 4 October 2026: Mohammed Bin Rashid Library will host a session on Thursday, 8 October, titled Andalusian Manuscripts: Contemporary Relevance and Civilisational Significance. Moderated by Naoufer Ramoul, the session will feature Spanish researcher Ada Romero. The session will be followed by a musical evening featuring Arab Choir, which will perform a selection of Andalusian muwashshahat (poetic musical compositions).
Ada Romero is a Spanish historian and researcher specialising in Andalusian history and Arab-Islamic heritage. Her work combines academic research with field studies of Arabic and Islamic manuscripts, with a particular focus on their preservation, accessibility, and the promotion of their intellectual and civilisational value. In recognition of her efforts to serve the Arabic language and its written heritage, she received the 2025 Mohammed Bin Rashid Arabic Language Award.
The session will shed light on Andalusian manuscripts that have survived over the centuries, exploring their role in preserving the cultural and civilisational memory of Al-Andalus and the intellectual and linguistic values they continue to embody today. These manuscripts serve as bridges between the past and present, and provide insight into the cultural diversity and civilisational exchange that characterised Al-Andalus.
The discussion will examine the art and production of books in Al-Andalus, the role of women in transmitting knowledge, and the aesthetic qualities of Qur'anic manuscripts and other manuscripts. It will also explore the transformations that have shaped this heritage, and the routes through which these works found their way into libraries around the world. In addition, the session will address the role of cultural institutions in preserving, studying, and making this heritage accessible to future generations, while highlighting Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's collections related to this legacy.
The discussion will be followed by a musical evening during which Arab Choir will perform a selection of Andalusian muwashshahat, bringing together knowledge, poetry, and music. This evening will allow audiences to experience the diversity of cultural and artistic expression in Al-Andalus.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Library invites community members interested in history, literature, and music to visit its website and follow its official social media channels for more information and to register to attend the session.
This event supports the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library's mission to preserve intellectual and human heritage, and spread awareness of its value. Through its cultural program, the Library connects books with the arts and provides audiences with opportunities to explore civilisations and their legacies, reinforcing its role as a hub for knowledge, dialogue, and cultural exchange.