The languages of Near East between papers, types and printing presses: notes on a books exhibition online

Abstract

The book collection of the Franciscans in Jerusalem – object of numerous enhancement ventures in recent years – preserves a precious proof of the relationship between Europe and Semitic civilizations. These are ancient editions (16th-18th century) of grammars and lexicons for learning Arabic, Hebrew, Ge’ez and Syriac. These books document both the biblical interests of the friars and their desire for inculturation in the reality of the Holy Land. Indeed, it is not difficult to imagine a relationship between these volumes and the birth in the mid-19th century of the Franciscan Printing Press. It was the first printing workshop in Jerusalem to print in Arabic: catechisms and grammars for students of Franciscan schools throughout Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire. A beautiful virtual exhibition (due to the Covid-19 pandemic), but available in print and on the web, tells all this.