JOINING a number of events and conferences this year marking the sixth centennial of the death of Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406), the Tunisian polymath of Andalusian origin, is the exhibition "Ibn Khaldun. The Mediterranean in the 14th Century: Rise and Fall of Empires" to be held in Seville, Spain. Due to open on 19 May, the exhibition is organised by the Legacy of Al-Andalus Foundation, in collaboration with several Spanish and European institutions. Participating in the exhibition, in addition to the US and a number of European countries, are parts of the Arab world that the author of the Muqaddimah visited or worked in, such as Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. The stated aim of the exhibition, according to the catalogue, "is to make Ibn Khaldun's life and work more widely known, as well as the political, economic and social framework existing in the 14th century (8th of the Hegira) between East and West, between Europe and the Arabic-Maghrebian world, linked by the Mediterranean sea." The figure of Ibn Khaldun is presented as emblematic of intellectual exchange between Europe and the Arab world, in a bid to reinforce inter-cultural dialogue in the present moment. The exhibition will be held at the Real Alcazar of Seville, where Ibn Khaldun, during his sojourn in Alhambra of Granada, was received by Pedro I, King of Castille. In addition to artefacts directly relating to Ibn Khaldun, such as manuscripts of his work, the exhibition also highlights "other protagonists" of the 14th century, among them Chaucer, Ibn Al-Khatib, Petrarch, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, and Al-Maqrizi. The exhibition includes sections on the Mediterranean and Asia in the 14th century; wars and expansions in the period; trade routes, merchants and merchandise; the artistic trends of the era; and the beginnings of the Renaissance. A number of parallel events are planned to take place during the exhibition, which continues until 30 September. These include two seminars: "Alliance of Civilisations", to take place in June, will focus on Ibn Khaldun's legacy and its relevance to the 21st century, and "Cities of the Mediterranean", scheduled for September- October, will be a forum for municipal leaders from around the region designed to foster exchange between different cities. A number of concerts of Arabo-Andalusian and 14th century court music and theatrical performances of medieval history will take place at the Real Alcazar. For more information about the exhibition, please visit the website www.ibnjaldun.com.
