QNL set to offer a peek into Qatar’s rich heritage

The Qatar National Library (QNL), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is set to hold its third Heritage Collection Open Day aimed at further celebrating the country’s cultural heritage. The event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 2pm to 7pm at QNL’s Heritage Collection Building at 71 Al Maha Street in Al Luqta and showcase precious items including historical manuscripts and books.The event, which also celebrates World Heritage Day, is themed Wagten Geda (times gone by). It will also provide Qatar’s community with the opportunity to view rare historical collections and witness the unveiling of the newly-acquired Arabic Cinema Collection.  Open to the public, ‘Open Day 2015’ will host tours every 40 minutes, taking visitors through the unique collection comprising some of the rarest and most valuable texts and manuscripts related to Arab-Islamic civilisation, including a wide range of historical texts, manuscripts, traveller’s instruments, globes and maps. In keeping with its commitment to support Qatar Foundation’s mission to foster a progressive society, while preserving the nation’s heritage, the QNL bridges Qatar’s past and future through knowledge.By sharing valuable information and cultivating creativity, QNL continues to support Qatar Foundation in protecting the nation’s heritage for future generations. Acquired by the Qatar Foundation in 2006, the collection is now an integral part of the QNL. The collection attracts intellects and diplomats from across the world and has welcomed many high profile visitors, among them Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, who visited the collection in February 2014. Founded in the early 1980s as part of HE Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani’s vision to create, and make accessible, a landmark repository of Qatar and regional history in the heart of Doha, the Heritage Collection is a unique contribution to Qatar’s cultural landscape.Specifically, the collection’s Early Arabic printing section contains some of the first Arabic books printed on presses in Shweir (Lebanon), Aleppo (Syria), Mosul (Iraq), Bulaq (Egypt) and in the Hijaz (Saudi Arabia). The collection is home to more than 2,400 manuscripts including Qur’anic manuscripts and other texts dealing with religious topics, manuscripts on the Arabic language, medicine, pharmacology, and astronomy.The collection also holds a large number of books written in foreign languages including writings by European travellers and explorers who visited the Arabia Gulf Region and its surrounding. “The Heritage Collection Open Day 2015 will showcase some of the most inspiring and pivotal moments in Qatar’s history,” said Dr Claudia Lux, Project Director of Qatar National Library. “In line with QNL’s efforts to further enrich the existing Heritage Collection, newly acquired items showcasing the progression of Arab cinema will also be unveiled this year. “As a member of Qatar Foundation, Qatar National Library is committed to preserving national history by acquiring and housing some of the most valuable precious items in its Heritage Collection. Building on last year’s success, we are expecting increased participation and look forward to welcoming everybody.” The QNL registration team will also be onsite during ‘Open Day 2015’ to assist members of the public with online registration that provides users free access to a wide range of valuable online learning resources available through its website: www.qnl.qa to learn more.