Dubai: The UNESCO Chair at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, with support from the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, hosted a workshop to discuss the book “Translating Cultures and Oral Traditions,” aimed at the academic preservation of Arab intangible heritage.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the workshop brought together a select group of researchers and contributors to the book, which focuses on exploring oral heritage in the Arab world and the Global South. Dr. Munira Al-Ghadir, Head of the UNESCO Chair, opened one of the sessions, while researcher Nouf Al-Mutlaq moderated another. The sessions were marked by significant interaction, with participants delving deeply into the book’s central themes, drawing on diverse cultural perspectives that reflect the richness of intangible heritage.

The event provided an interactive platform for researchers to present their research papers in preparation and discuss them in depth before submitting them for final publication. The sessions witnessed a multidisciplinary exchange of knowledge, focusing on addressing the theoretical and practical challenges associated with preserving oral traditions from a rigorous academic perspective.

The two-day workshop was divided into two main sessions, during which participants exchanged critical observations and constructive ideas to enrich the book’s chapters. This initiative aligns with the UNESCO Chair’s strategic vision for 2026, which focuses primarily on the theme of “Translating Cultures and Intangible Heritage.” The edited book seeks to reposition translation as a central and essential element in the global discourse surrounding folklore and oral traditions.

To achieve this strategic objective, the project moves beyond traditional perspectives, venturing into a deeper theoretical exploration of the unique expressive forms of the region’s oral heritage.