The General Coordinator of the Masarat Foundation delivered an opening speech at the annual conference of the House of Books and Documents dedicated to libraries, coinciding with the International Day of the Arabic Language, under the title: “The Role of Libraries in Preserving Arab Heritage and Enhancing Cultural Identity.”
The conference began with the opening of an exhibition of rare books and periodicals that embodied the history and civilization of the Iraqi state, which libraries played a role in conveying to generations throughout time, as well as another exhibition of Arabic calligraphy artworks.
For his part, Mr. Barq Raad Alawi, the General Director of the House, clarified in his speech the pivotal role of libraries in preserving cultural and linguistic heritage, and the rich history of knowledge and sciences they carry.
Meanwhile, the General Coordinator of the Masarat Foundation, Dr. Saad Saloom, emphasized the importance of the National Library as the living memory of Iraq and one of the most important institutions concerned with preserving the Arabic language, which is one of the oldest Semitic languages and the most adaptable to contemporary modernity.
The Director of the National Library, Ms. Ban Salah al-Din, outlined the history of the library, which represents the main repository of the Iraqi state, and discussed its key responsibilities in preserving intellectual output in accordance with the applicable laws.
The conference witnessed the presentation of research papers titled “Libraries of the Province of Baghdad in Light of Ottoman Documents” and papers about the National Library and its role in protecting cultural heritage, and its contributions to the cultural development of individuals and the consolidation of the cultural identity of society.
