Juma Al Majid Center for Culture and Heritage in Dubai signed a cultural cooperation agreement with the Russian State Library of Foreign Literature in Moscow on Wednesday, 23 October 2025, on the sidelines of the 9th International Conference on “Rare Book Preservation,” organized by the Library from 21 to 23 October.
The Center was represented at the signing ceremony by Dr. Bassam Dagestani, Head of the Conservation, Treatment, and Restoration Department, while the Russian State Library of Foreign Literature was represented by its Director General, Dr. Zakharinko.
Under the agreement, both parties will exchange specialized knowledge and best practices related to the preservation and restoration of documents, conduct joint research in conservation science, develop innovative restoration methods, and design and test new techniques. The agreement also includes implementing joint professional development programs and organizing conferences, exhibitions, and educational events focused on cultural heritage preservation and restoration.
As part of the conference program, Dr. Dagestani delivered several lectures. In the first, he highlighted the significance of rare books and the necessity of preserving them due to their substantial scientific and cultural value, addressing the causes of their deterioration and the correct scientific methods for their treatment and restoration. In his second lecture, he shed light on the Center’s global efforts in heritage preservation through its restoration laboratories and major international initiatives, most notably the West African Manuscript Project, especially in Mali. In the third lecture, he discussed the history of traditional papermaking and the pioneering role of Arabs in its spread worldwide, explaining how the Juma Al Majid Center has contributed to reviving this craft and utilizing it in restoration work.
Dr. Dagestani also participated in the Expert Committee meeting of the International Silk Road Library Alliance, where members discussed ways to enhance youth engagement in restoration training due to its essential role in heritage preservation. The meeting emphasized the responsibility of governments and organizations to support this field and prepare young professionals for careers in paper conservation. Dr. Dagestani highlighted the Center’s contribution in this area through the numerous training courses it has organized over the years.
The conference brought together researchers and experts from various countries, including Russia, Egypt, Oman, Kazakhstan, Iran, Belarus, Indonesia, and Austria. They presented specialized papers addressing conservation, treatment, and paper restoration, contributing to enriching participants’ knowledge and fostering international exchange of experiences in this field.
