QNL to observe Arabic Calligraphy Week

Qatar National Library (QNL) will present Arabic Calligraphy Week between November 6 and 11.

It will bring out the beauty and history of the written word through events that celebrate artistic Arabic calligraphy, artificial intelligence in art, local culture and heritage, and QNL’s resources on Arabic calligraphy. On November 6, a group of 50 local calligraphers will be invited to submit photographs of their Arabic calligraphy work. Of these, 30 participants will be invited to a competition on writing a specific phrase using different kinds of Arabic calligraphy with one winner being awarded. On November 7, QNL will welcome Dr James She from Hamad Bin Khalifa University College of Science and Engineering to deliver a talk on the latest developments of artificial intelligence technologies and how these can be applied in the arts, particularly in the field of Arabic calligraphy.One of the most important sessions during the week is the “Get to Know the library’s resources on Arabic Calligraphy” workshop on November 11. Librarians will guide participants to find Arabic calligraphy resources at the Library and highlight some of the books related to this beautiful art.Ahmad Naddaf, information services librarian said: “The library is committed to preserving and conserving Arab heritage for future generations, and the calligraphic art form holds a special place in our hearts. It is one of the most highly regarded and fundamental aspects of Islamic art. We are honoured to showcase and support it, and we strongly believe in promoting the art form and raising awareness of the impact modern technologies like artificial intelligence have on it.” Arabic Calligraphy Week will conclude with an online panel discussion on November 11. “Artificial Intelligence for Art, Culture and Heritage” will outline the impact of artificial intelligence on the modern world through artistic work. Participants will showcase some of their recent AI works from around the world and discuss their cultural and societal implications, while also focusing on legal and ethical aspects. Moderated by Stephane Ipert, QNL’s director, Distinctive Collections, the panel will include speakers Dr James She; Dr Ahmed Elgammal, professor at the Department of Computer Science at Rutgers University; and Sydney Chiche-Attali, an intellectual property and art lawyer in Paris.