Celebrating Literary Excellence: Winners Of The 18th Sheikh Zayed Book Award Honoured
Under the esteemed patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a prestigious ceremony was held to honor the laureates of the 18th Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). This significant event took place on the sidelines of the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The ceremony saw H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, presenting the awards.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of notable figures including Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the SZBA Board of Trustees; Dr Neveen Al-Kilani, Egypt’s Minister of Culture; and Dr Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to the President of the UAE, among others. The event underscored the UAE's commitment to fostering a vibrant literary and cultural landscape.
This year's edition of the SZBA witnessed an unprecedented number of submissions, totaling 4,240 nominations from 74 countries, marking it as a record-breaking year for participation. The awards spanned various categories, celebrating achievements in literature, young author contributions, Arabic manuscript editing, and more.
Egyptian author Reem Bassiouney clinched the award in the Literature category, while Dr Houssem Eddine Chachia from Tunisia was recognized in the Young Author category. The Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category was awarded to Dr Mustafa Said from Egypt. In a proud moment for the UAE, Dr Khalifa Alromaithi received the award for Contribution to the Development of Nations. Other winners included Dr Ahmed Somai from Tunisia in Translation, Frank Griffel from Germany in Arab Culture in Other Languages, and China-based Bayt Elhekma for Creative Industries in Publishing and Technology.
A special accolade was bestowed upon Casa Árabe in Spain, honored as Cultural Personality of the Year for its exemplary role in fostering connections between Arab and Spanish cultures and promoting Arabic language and culture across Europe and Latin America.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award stands as a beacon of intellectual achievement, celebrating exceptional contributions to literature, arts, and humanities. Since its inception in 2006, it has played a pivotal role in supporting literary and cultural endeavors across a multitude of languages and regions. The award not only honors creators and thinkers but also serves as a catalyst for cultural exchange and understanding on a global scale.
With inputs from WAM
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