Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD student, Art Research Department, Faculty of Arts, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Art Research, Faculty of Arts, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Illustrating children's book covers plays a significant role as a medium in conveying cultural concepts to them. Images that reference specific cultural concepts of a community or a region can indirectly strengthen the cultural identity of children.
The present study aims to answer the question of how the cultural identity of girls and women is depicted in the cover illustrations of children's stories in Arabic-speaking countries. Therefore, with the goal of understanding cultural identity, especially Arab identity among Arab-speaking girls and women, the study has conducted a comprehensive statistical analysis. In this regard, 249 cover designs from six Arab countries including Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were examined for the age group (B). The research method is analytical-comparative.
The results show that Arab girls' identity is expressed through Islamic adornments, while the identity of adult women is depicted through botanical decorations, historical symbols, and wearing the veil. the identity of elderly women is emphasized with a focus on the veil, which is one of the most prominent visual symbols. However, this symbol is less prominent in Lebanon and Syria.The results indicate that the UAE is the richest country in terms of cultural visual symbols, while Syria is the weakest in this regard. Arab girls' and women's faces are prominent in most images, and the palm tree, a symbol of natural geography, plays a significant role in Arab identity, especially in Iraqi publications. Decorations also play an important role in representing the Islamic identity of these Arab countries, but they have had a minimal impact on showcasing the local identity of each country. Older women on the cover illustrations are often veiled, and the veil is one of the most prominent visual symbols. However, in Lebanon and Syria, this symbol is less prominent across all age groups. It seems that a general conclusion can be drawn that the identity of Arab girls and women on the covers of children's books in Arabic-speaking countries in the present study is a blend of Arab and Islamic identity, with a particular emphasis on geographical and natural symbols.
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