Sheikh Zayed Book Award Unveils Winners And Cultural Personality Of The Year For 19th Edition

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the winners and Cultural Personality of the Year for the 19th Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). This announcement came after a meeting of the SZBA Board of Trustees, which reviewed the evaluation process led by judging panels and the award's Scientific Committee. The selection was based on high literary and cultural standards.

This year's winners represent seven countries: the UK, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco, and the UAE. The award's rigorous governance ensured that selections were made using objective and scientific criteria. The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and attended by several notable figures including Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak.

Lebanese/French author Hoda Barakat received the Literature category award for her novel 'Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World'. Moroccan writer Latifa Labsir won in Children's Literature for 'The Phantom of Sabiba'. In Translation, Marco Di Branco from Italy was honoured for translating 'Orosius' by Paulus Orosius from Arabic to English.

Dr. Said Laouadi from Morocco secured recognition in Literary and Art Criticism for his book 'Food and Language: Cultural Excavations in Arab Heritage'. Meanwhile, Emirati Prof. Dr. Mohammed Bechari won in Contribution to the Development of Nations for 'The Right to Strive: Perspectives on Muslim Women's Rights'.

The SZBA honoured Japanese author Haruki Murakami as Cultural Personality of the Year. His literary work is known for its unique blend of fantasy and realism, influencing readers globally beyond Japan. His selection highlights the award's aim to connect diverse cultures through literature.

UK researcher Andrew Peacock won in Arab Culture in Other Languages for his book 'Arabic Literary Culture in Southeast Asia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries'. Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK received recognition in Editing of Arabic Manuscripts for his critical edition of 'News of Women'.

Award Ceremony Details

The winners will be celebrated on 28th April during a ceremony at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). Organised by ALC, this edition saw over 4,000 submissions from 75 countries, including first-time participants Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is a significant independent literary prize that promotes creativity and knowledge globally. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak stated that it positions UAE as a global hub for culture. "With its forward-looking vision...the Sheikh Zayed Book Award reinforces the UAE's position as a global centre for creativity and knowledge," he said.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim congratulated all winners for their contributions to enriching Arab and international culture. "I congratulate the winners...for their outstanding achievements," he noted. Their works explore new topics that delve into human conditions, earning admiration from organisers.

With inputs from WAM