Exhibition “Treasures of Arabic Calligraphy” Opens at the Immigration Museum in Sao Paulo

The event brought together artists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and authorities from the Arab community residing in the State of Sao Paulo.

Yesterday (25), the Federation of Muslim Associations in Brazil – FAMBRAS, and the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates, in collaboration with the Immigration Museum of the State of Sao Paulo, organized an exhibition of Arabic calligraphy. The exhibit will be on display until September 3rd at the museum itself, located in Sao Paulo Capital. Titled “Treasures of Arabic Calligraphy,” the showcase is an initiative by the UAE aimed at fostering closer ties with Brazil.

The launch of the exhibition, titled “Tesouros da Caligrafia Árabe” (Treasures of Arabic Calligraphy), was marked by a ceremony held for guests at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the Immigration Museum. This moment of celebration can be described as a cultural bridge between tradition and contemporaneity. In total, dozens of works depicting this form of writing are displayed in two areas of the building.

The artworks were created by three artists from the United Arab Emirates. Khalid Ali Al Jallaf, president of the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornament, along with Maryam Al Balooshi and Fatmah Salem Rashed Aldhanhani, were present at the event. They closely observed the reactions of the first admirers of the exhibition, who were captivated by the elegance of the forms and techniques employed in the composition of Arabic writing.

In addition to the exhibition, the launch included other activities throughout its occurrence. The Ribbon Cutting marked the opening of the room where the artworks portraying Arabic writing will be displayed. Another significant moment took place in the auditorium, with speakers discussing the importance of calligraphy and the cultural relationship between Arabs and Brazilians. Additionally, guests took home their own names written in the Oriental language on letterhead.

During her speech, Vanessa Costa Ribeiro, Coordinator of the Museum Heritage Preservation Unit at the Department of Culture, Economy, and Creative Industry, addressed the exhibition’s value to the city of Sao Paulo. “It reinforces the partnership already being carried out with the Arab community. Arabic calligraphy is an art that captivates the entire West, and here in Sao Paulo, we have the influence of this culture through descendants, so it is essential to appreciate it”.

“This is about showcasing our history. This is about showcasing our culture. This is about showcasing our origins. I consider this event crucial so that Brazilians, not just in Sao Paulo because this exhibition will travel to other states, have a clear understanding, and recognize the importance of this script”, expressed Dr. Mohamed Zoghbi during an interview, providing another reason for the exhibition.

The “Treasures of Arabic Calligraphy” exhibition also featured a workshop held on the Saturday following the event, led by the Emirati artists, along with other educational activities scheduled to be carried out until September 3rd. This includes a visit from scholars at the University of Sao Paulo (USP) to the exhibition. Visitors can access the exhibition by purchasing tickets; more information is available at https://museudaimigracao.org.br/.

In addition to those mentioned in this article, notable attendees at the event included the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Saleh Ahmad Alsuwaidi, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates, Abdalla Yousif Abdalla Shaheen, Henrique Trindade, a research analyst from the Immigration Museum, the director of the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB), Riad Younes, among other personalities.

The event received institutional support from FAMBRAS and CCAB. The representative from the United Arab Emirates described the moment as a ‘cultural exchange,’ referring to the strong relations between Brazil and the United Arab Emirates.