How Arab culture can be promoted around the world

Throughout the ages, Arab diasporas have remained devoted to their linguistic, religious and cultural heritage, while at the same time fervently promoting their culture in host societies. From the realms of art, literature and culinary artistry to the domains of performing arts, music and the craft of jewelry making, Arab diasporas have enriched the global cultural landscape with their significant contributions.

For instance, the eminent Lebanese-born French writer Amin Maalouf has lived in France since 1976 and his work, which has been translated into more than 40 languages, uniquely enwraps historical events in important themes such as diversity, diaspora and human stories. In honor of his efforts, the French government in 2020 awarded Maalouf the National Order of Merit for “building bridges between East and West.”

Khalil Gibran, a Lebanese emigre who arrived in the US in 1895, is one of the most cherished poets, writers and artists in the Arab world. Gibran also lived in Paris between 1908 and 1910 to pursue an arts education at the Academie Julian, which led to him exhibiting his paintings at the esteemed Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Gibran was also an integral part of the cultural scene in New York City and was invited to many literary salons and gatherings, where he captivated audiences with his brilliance. His magnum opus, “The Prophet,” published in 1923, is one of the 10 most-translated books in history. Paying homage to him, the Gibran Khalil Gibran Promenade was inaugurated in Paris in September 2017.

Notably, cultural institutions play an impactful role in cultivating an interest in Arab culture among foreign nations, in addition to building bridges of inclusivity, tolerance and understanding between various global communities. Many prominent institutions across the world are responsible for delivering a number of important programs for local audiences.

An exhibition at Christie’s in London this summer certainly captured the hearts of art enthusiasts, as it featured an array of works by visionary Arab, particularly Emirati, artists. Revolving around the theme of modern and contemporary Arab art, it was a collaborative effort orchestrated by the UAE’s Ministry of Culture and Youth and the UAE-based Barjeel Art Foundation. The showcase, spanning a remarkable 84 years from 1939 to 2023, was a well-deserved tribute to the region’s artistic expressions, while illuminating audiences with the various historical, political and artistic drivers that inspired the works.

Cultural institutions play an impactful role in cultivating an interest in Arab culture among foreign nations. 

Sara Al-Mulla

The Arab World Institute in Paris is an esteemed cultural institution that is at the forefront of spearheading many projects that serve to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arab culture. Inaugurated in 1987, its latticework-framed building is a multidisciplinary space that is home to a world-class museum that showcases modern and contemporary Arab art, Islamic art and an ethnography of Arab society. It works in partnership with a number of regional museums, including the National Museum of Saudi Arabia and the Bahrain National Museum, to showcase priceless works. The institute also supervises the Arab Literature Prize, which awards €10,000 ($10,800) to Arab authors who have penned exceptional literary works.

One of the most memorable exhibitions to take place at the Arab World Institute was “AlUla: Wonder of Arabia,” which ran between October 2019 and March 2020 and was delivered in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla. The exhibition was conceptualized as a culmination of the extraordinary efforts of Saudi and French researchers, historians and archaeologists to excavate the historical marvels of AlUla and retell its 7,000-year history of culture and ancient civilizations. By fully immersing visitors in AlUla’s distinctive terrain and the ancient realms of Dadan and Lihyan, along with the Nabataean city of Hegra — Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site — the immersive, sensorial exhibition offered a vivid journey through time.

Considering these many applaudable efforts, regional governments can partner with international cultural institutions to strengthen and expand the reach of their programs. Importantly, forming platforms that facilitate education, engagement and thoughtful interactions will help create a deeper understanding and appreciation of Arab culture. Involving regional and local experts or creative talents can help bring expertise and an artistic repertoire to build up the meaningful content of such cultural programs.

Regional governments can partner with international institutions to expand the reach of their programs. 

Sara Al-Mulla

To capture these noteworthy opportunities, a number of partnership avenues can be examined. These include curating cultural exhibitions on different themes within Arab culture, such as art, ethnography, literature and archeological heritage. At the same time, institutions could offer access to immersive cultural programs so that people can experience the vibrancy and beauty of Arab artistic expressions. These could include book clubs, film screenings, cultural performances during popular holidays or festivals, and cooking classes. Institutions can also support literary luminaries by channeling efforts toward translation projects, as well as offering residency programs that enable writers to share their works, interact with the local community and actively participate in fostering cultural interchange.

To cultivate a profound understanding of Arab culture, institutions can organize a series of seminars and cultural courses by renowned experts on subjects including Arab history, the Arabic language and many contemporary themes concerning the region. Stocking up in-house libraries within cultural institutions can enable researchers to access precious archives to deepen their understanding of Arab culture. In the present context of rapid digital change, cultural establishments can harness digital platforms to share materials on Arab culture for audiences who may not have the opportunity to experience it in person.

By orchestrating these various endeavors, regional governments can promote a more accurate and appreciative understanding of Arab culture all around the world.

• Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children’s literature. She can be contacted at www.amorelicious.com.