Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin and Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation (London) are delighted to call for applications for an international training course/workshop in the series:

Scriptorium: Workshops on the study of Oriental manuscripts

This training course/workshop will be organised under the title:

"Paleographical Aspects of Islamic Manuscripts: Script and Calligraphy Styles and Usage"

The training course / workshop will offer an overview on the main scripts and calligraphy styles in the Islamicate world throughout the different historical periods, such as the ‘Six Pens’ (naskh, thuluth, muhaqqaq, rayhani, tawqi', and riqa'), the ‘Islamic West’ scripts and calligraphy styles (Andalusian, Maghrebi, African, etc.), the ‘Eastern’ scripts and calligraphy styles (Ta'liq, Nasta'liq, Shikaste, etc.), the ‘Ottoman’ scripts and calligraphy styles, etc.

Most lectures will be supplemented by hands-on and practical sessions, in which the participants will have the opportunity to observe the discussed features themselves in manuscripts of the Islamicate world from the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin collection, as well as practice their skills.

The training course / workshop will be conducted by:

Christoph Rauch (Germany), Claus-Peter Haase (Germany), Mahmoud Zaki (Egypt), Mansour Nassar (Jordan), Mohameden Ahmed Salem (Mauritania), Shiva Mihan (USA), and Thomas Steinbach (Germany)

Date: 22 – 26 September 2025

Venue: Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Potsdamer Str. 33, 10785 Berlin, Germany

The training course / workshop is intended for advanced MA & PhD students and other researchers in the field of manuscripts of the Islamicate world, as well as librarians, conservationists, and other related disciplines.

The number of participants will be limited to 30.

The workshop will be held in English.

The participation has no fee.

It is expected that the participants will cover their accommodation and travel costs. Lunch will be provided by the organisers at the canteen of the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin.

Applications, including a motivation letter, curriculum vitae (table), and a summary of your current research project (one page including the title of your topic)

should be sent to orientabt@sbb.spk-berlin.de by 10^th June 2025.

Looking forward to your participation!

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