The Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, in collaboration with Círculo CantArabia Editorial, organises the round table discussion The Arabic inscriptions of the Real Alcázar of Seville'..
As is well known, the use of Arabic script in Islamic architecture is one of the most defining and recognisable elements of Islamic architecture. The sacralisation of the Arabic language - used to put the Qur'anic revelation in writing - gave it an extraordinary value, to which is added the fact that it eventually became the lingua franca of the Islamic world.
On the other hand, its use as an essential element in architecture must also be interpreted in its symbolic dimension. The showcase that made this display in such prominent places possible was used by the rulers, who made the word transcend its mere communicative role and acquire another, that of a tool at the service of power.
For all these reasons, the use of writing as an architectural decorative instrument was extended and replicated in all official buildings, such as the Alcázar of Seville, where an entire epigraphic corpus can be found, which is now finally presented to us explained and translated thanks to the work of Pedro Cano ÁvilaProfessor of Arabic Epigraphy and Numismatics at the University of Seville, and Aly Tawfik Mohamed EssawyProfessor of the Department of Semitic Studies at the University of Granada, both authors of the work Arabic epigraphic corpus of the Real Alcázar of Sevillepublished by Círculo CantArabia Editorial.
The event will be addressed by both authors, introduced by Carmen Ruiz-Bravo VillasanteThe book's editor, and accompanied by José Miguel Puerta VílchezProfessor of the Department of Art History at the University of Granada, with whom they will discuss the epigraphy and architecture of one of Seville's most important monuments.
The session will take place on Wednesday 8 May 2024 at 19:00h at the headquarters of the Fundación Tres Culturas del Mediterráneo.
Free admission with prior registration at THIS LINK.
This activity is subsidised by the Junta de Andalucía, within the framework of the subsidy granted by the Consejería de la Presidencia, Interior, Diálogo Social y Simplificación Administrativa (Regional Ministry of the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue and Administrative Simplification).
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