Last Sunday on the13^th of  November, 2016, the French language section in the foreign languages Department,  College of Arts And Sciences held the "ARABIA & TRAVEL WRITING" conference. The French studies colloquium was a huge success with the presence of  Dr. Mahmood Jasim, Dr. Mostafa Mansi, Dr. Khalfan Al Harrasi & Prof. Charles Forsdick; as well as, many faculty members and students.  The papers delivered by five researchers from 10 AM to 4 PM, gave a great historical overview of the topic: from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, we heard presentations about Arab writers and European explorers, in a great spirit of cultural exchange.

Dr. Guillaume, who was the main organizer of the conference, said that it was "an opportunity for the French studies in Nizwa to show our eager to develop academic research in a multilingual context, and to declare our love for the Arabic peninsula, and for Oman in particular, through travel literature." 

Professor Charles Forsdick was invited to give a talk as a key-note speaker; allowing us to enjoy the communication of one of the greatest specialist in travel writing in the world. Forsdick came straight from Liverpool University, he appreciated greatly his stay in Nizwa, and really enjoyed the papers delivered in his presence. "It is a the fascinating experience, Forsdick said, which provides a very good image of the research in French studies in the Gulf countries". His own lecture focused mainly on the journeys of convicts between North Africa and other oversee territories.

Previously of professor Forsdick speech, the conference started with four presentations in French language exploring new academic territories concerning 'ARABIA & TRAVEL WRITING': Ms. Karima Bel Baraka explained the work of medieval geographer Al Bakri, while Ms. Hajer Nahdi analysed famous Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani's travel texts. Then Dr. Djamila Gabruck talked about travel blogs in Arabia, and Dr. Guillaume Thouroude completed this rich morning session by  theorizing orientalism tendencies in contemporary literature.

After this fructuous day, it is only reasonable to hope that "ARABIA & TRAVEL WRITING” will turn itself into a publication, to make these pieces of research available to a wider audience, and that other conferences will be organized in the DFL in order to keep the creativity alive.