Conference

The Kitabat conference

The first major Arabic calligraphy and typography conference in the Middle East.

Dubai, 5 - 8 April 2006

Hosted by the Visual Communication Department at the American University in Dubai, in partnership with the Khatt Foundation (Center for Arabic Typography, Amsterdam) and Linotype GmBH (Germany), and in collaboration with the Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI).

Kitabat opening ceremony - Opening speech by Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares

The aim of this conference was to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures, and lead to a two-way cultural exchange. It also seeks to enhance the dialogue between calligraphy and typography.

The main topics of Kitabat

• History of Arabic calligraphy and printing
• Arabic type design and technology
• Arabic typography and graphic design in the Middle East

Workshops and panels will include:

the topics of Arabic calligraphy, typeface design, type technology, and type education.

Exhibitions will include:

1. Highlights of the Award winning typefaces from Linotype’s first Arabic Type Design Competition,
2. The Mamluk and Il-Khanid Masterpieces Collection of prints based on a medieval Qur’an manuscript,
3. A selection of Iranian posters from the private collection of Mr. Reza Abedini,
4. Arabic typographic posters work of students from various design academies in the region.

You can read detailed information about the first Kitabat Conference right here!

Kitabat calligraphy exhibit - Conference delegates (Brody Neuenschwander and Jean-François Porchez) at the Kitabat calligraphy exhibition

Kitabat student exhibition - Delegate (Erik Brandt from VCU Qatar) at the special student typographic posters exhibition, for the Kitabat Conference

Spontaneous calligraphy demo - Spontaneous calligraphy demo by Brody Neuenschwander during lunch break

Kitabat closing ceremony - All conference speakers at the Kitabat closing ceremony, with Willem Velthoven and Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFares from the Khatt Foundation (first 2 from the left)