Qatar National Library

Gulf History Lecture Series: Beyond Documents: The Importance of Oral History in the Gulf

2026.2.11 17:30

Online via Zoom

The Arabian Gulf region, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse historical narratives, is home to a variety of oral traditions that have shaped its identity across generations. Until the mid-20th century, the Gulf region relied heavily on oral communication and storytelling, making oral history one of the most important tools for preserving cultural heritage and national identity.

These narratives remain a living testament to the history and evolution of the Gulf peoples. With the region's development, oral history has become an essential tool for preserving authentic traditions and historical narratives, thus ensuring their survival for future generations.   

As part of the Gulf History Lecture Series, this lecture focuses on the importance of oral history projects in documenting Gulf history, which is considered a vital complement to written history. This lecture will explore the role of both institutional frameworks and grassroots community initiatives in safeguarding oral history in the Gulf region.

The lecture's guests are:

  • Amal Al-Haidos, Head of the Oral History Department at the National Museum of Qatar, who will present the museum's oral history project; 
  • Dalal Al-Dayel, Founder of the "Tura" project for documenting Kuwait's history, who will highlight the importance of community initiatives.

The lecture will be moderated by Maryam Almutawa, Head of Collection Access, QNL Distinctive Collection

The event will be conducted online via Zoom. 

Date:11 February 2026

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Language: Arabic and English

Target Audience: Researchers, students, academics

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Event date and time

Starts:   2026.2.11 17:30
Ends:   2026.2.11 18:30

Event location

Online via Zoom


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Qatar National Library