Bodour Al Qasimi Celebrates Winners Of SIBF 2024 Awards And Turjuman For Cultural Excellence
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, celebrated the winners of the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024) Awards. The event also marked the 7th edition of the Sharjah Translation Award (Turjuman). The ceremony was held on the first day of SIBF 2024, which continues until 17th November at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘It Starts with a Book.’
Sheikha Bodour expressed her congratulations to the awardees, stating, "Honouring exceptional creativity embodies one of Sharjah’s core cultural values. We are committed to fostering every creative contribution, which enriches our cultural landscape and inspires future generations, amplifying the role of knowledge in shaping resilient, interconnected societies." She further added that these awards aim to inspire more achievements in translation, authorship, and publishing.
Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF, highlighted the importance of recognising authors and publishers as vital components of cultural advancement. She stated that civilisations preserve their legacy through literature, thought, art, science, or architecture. History shows that nations thrive due to their creative minds' contributions.
The Sharjah Translation Award (Turjuman) was awarded to Dr. Mehmet Hakkı Suçin for translating The Ring of the Dove by Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi into Turkish. This work was published by Alpha Publishing. In addition to this recognition, several other awards were presented across various categories.
Awad bin Hasum Al Darmaki received the Best Emirati Novel award for Ahd Al Jerah. This novel was published by Awraq Publishing & Distribution. Ali Al Abdan won in the Best Emirati Academic Book category for his work Al Aghani Al Emirateya: Masarateha Al Oula Wa Masaderha Al Qadeema, published by Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.
The Best Emirati Creative Literature Book went to poet Kareem Maatouq for his collection Qasa’ed Men Wadi Aqbar. Manshorat Kareem Maatouq published this collection. Dr. Fatima Al Braiki earned recognition for her debut novel Gharbana Be Qalam Al Ghorab in the Best Emirati First Novel category.
International Recognition
The Best Arabic Novel award was given to Issa Nasri for The Mosaic, published by Meskiliani Publishing. Elizabeth Loudon’s A Stranger in Baghdad won Best International Fiction Book and was published by the American University in Cairo. Siddharth Kak and Lila Kak Bhan received the Best International Non-Fiction Book award for Love, Exile, Redemption from Rupa Publications in India.
In publisher recognition categories for 2024, Dar Ashjar Publishing & Distribution was named Best Local Publishing house. Meskiliani Publishing from Tunisia won Best Arabic Publishing house while DC Books from India took home Best International Publishing house honours.
Honouring Partners and Sponsors
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sheikha Bodour acknowledged partners and sponsors who contributed significantly to SIBF's success. These included Al Marwan Group as sponsors of Turjuman Award; Etisalat by e&, official SIBF sponsor; Sharjah Broadcasting Authority as media partner; Expo Centre Sharjah as strategic partner; Arada as development partner; BEEAH Group as sustainability partner; Invest Bank as banking partner; Abu Dhabi Media as media partner; and Skiply as educational solutions partner.
With inputs from WAM
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