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BibliASPA

São Paulo, Brazil

Qatar Foundation International (QFI) has partnered with BibliASPA (Biblioteca e Centro de Pesquisa América do Sul-Países Árabes; Arab and South American Library and Research Center) by supporting an Arabic Language and Culture Program in Sao Paulo and Curitiba, Brazil for high school-aged students in schools in and around these cities.

The Programs offer afterschool Arabic language courses to students from various institutions. In line with both QFI and BibilASPA’s belief that no language should be taught out of context, cultural classes and activities are combined with the language courses to provide an interconnected and robust curriculum. Among such activities, BibliASPA has included exhibitions, films, storytelling, dance and music. Furthermore, a central component of the Program is to give an opportunity to lower-income students to learn Arabic and the Arab culture. Accordingly, BibliASPA offers free transportation to students who have difficulties in paying for public transport to get to their research and cultural center where classes are held.

QFI has also helped sponsor the publication of the Caligrafia árabe, a book on calligraphy by Moafak Dib Helaihel and published by Edições Bibliaspa (Editions BibliASPA) in four languages. The book was released this year at the South American Festival of Arab Culture held in the city of São Paulo. It documents the birth and evolution of Arabic Calligraphy, the instruments and the different styles. The Publisher, Editions BibliASPA, publishes texts related to literature, arts and sciences in the Arab, South American and African regions. BibliASPA also organizes seminars, lectures, art exhibits, photos, sculpture, dance and music performances, and Arab and South American film festivals. To learn more about QFI partner BibliASPA, visit their website at http://www.bibliaspa.com.br/.

Students of ALCI in Brazil                                                                          Cover image of Caligrafia árabe

Ordem do Rio Branco

In April 2011, Prof. Dr. Paulo Daniel Farah, the Director of BibliASPA, was awarded Brazil's most prestigious medal, Ordem do Rio Branco. Bestowed by the Brazilian President, the honor is awarded for service and meritorious achievement in diplomacy, and civil and governmental fields. The Order is named for José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior, Baron of Rio Branco (1845-1912), son of the Visconde do Rio-Branco (1819-1880) who had been Prime Minister of Brazil from 1871 to 1875.

In addition to being director of BibliASPA, Farah is a professor at the University of Sao Paulo's Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities and is the Editor in Chief of Ediciones BibliASPA. Furthermore, he is author of numerous books, including "ABC of the Arab World" (St. Paul, SM, 2006, translated into Spanish and French and published in Latin America and Europe, received multiple awards) and the "Glossary of Islamic Terms"(New York: Calamus, 1996).

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