Watch: UAE's Sheikha Bodour becomes first Arab woman to receive prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award
Emirati publisher, author, and women's advocate Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has made history by becoming the first woman from an Arab Gulf state to receive a prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi received the prize for her groundbreaking children's book 'House of Wisdom' at a ceremony in the impressive Farnese Chapel, at Palazzo d'Accursio, in Bologna.
'For me, this award signals a shift towards a more inclusive children's publishing sector. Amid heightened global tensions, stories like 'House of Wisdom' carry a message that books can occasion unity, progress, and a deeper understanding between cultures. It's a timely statement about literature's power to build bridges and keep the bigger human picture in view,' Sheikha Bodour said.
"The House of Wisdom was a library that symbolised how knowledge and collaboration across cultures can build sturdy bridges. Its loss in 1258 is a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance today,' she added.
Feted for its engaging approach to encouraging critical thought, scientific curiosity, and compassion, the success of 'House of Wisdom' marks progress in international recognition of the value of Middle Eastern children's literature.
Watch the video below:
The book is illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, whose evocative art provides a breathtaking complement to the story.
Although unable to be in Bologna to collect the award with Sheikha Bodour, he said: 'Working on 'House of Wisdom' was a unique opportunity to visually capture the spirit of curiosity and innovation that drives humanity's infinite quest for learning and dialogue, something Sheikha Bodour has so deftly portrayed in her narrative.'
The day after the prizegiving, Sheikha Bodour spoke on a thought-provoking panel with other BolognaRagazzi Award winners and joined a celebration reception at the Kalimat Group stand. On both occasions, she shared her inspiration behind 'House of Wisdom', emphasising the importance of preserving cultural and intellectual legacies, the role of storytelling in bridging cultural divides, and Sharjah's commitment to promoting knowledge, including through the creation of its own House of Wisdom.
Before receiving the award, Sheikha Bodour signed copies of her book at the Giannino Stoppani Children's Bookshop, which she helped restore after it was destroyed by fire in 2022. To support the renovation, Sheikha Bodour allocated significant funds from the Sharjah World Book Capital Office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sharjah 24
9 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
SFRA holds Eid hospitality event
What is 'Fuwala Al Eid'? 'Fuwala Al Eid' is a traditional Emirati custom symbolising generosity and hospitality during Eid celebrations. It involves gathering and sharing sweets, gifts, and joyful moments among family, friends, and colleagues, reinforcing social bonds and festive spirit. Festive activities The celebration included competitions and the distribution of symbolic gifts to employees, reflecting the Authority's commitment to fostering team spirit and strengthening social bonds among staff. Reflecting Sharjah's cultural and social values Abu Ghazin expressed his happiness on the occasion and stressed the importance of such initiatives in creating a motivating work environment filled with positive energy. This initiative aligns with the Authority's ongoing efforts to promote human connections among its employees and celebrate national and religious occasions in a way that reflects the cultural and social values of the smiling Emirate of Sharjah.
Sharjah 24
14 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Three new shows launch on Al Sharqiya from Kalba in June
From the University: Spotlight on academic life Directed by Ismail Issa Al Housani, the channel's director, the new programmes cover various aspects of life in the Eastern Region with meaningful content aimed at Emirati families. The flagship programme, 'From the University,' airs every Thursday at 18:15. It showcases academic disciplines and student activities at local universities, including University of Khorfakkan, University of Kalba, and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. The show encourages youth to pursue higher education and benefit from advanced learning environments. You Are the Future: Celebrating young talents The second programme, 'You Are the Future,' airs Thursdays at 18:00. It features talented children and youth sharing their experiences and ambitions, while highlighting government efforts to nurture young talent through specialised centres. This programme is produced by Somaya Al Khouri. From Jubail Market: Exploring local commerce Finally, 'From Jubail Market,' airing Thursdays at 20:45 and produced by Osama Zahdi, takes viewers on a tour of one of Kalba's key commercial and heritage sites. It showcases a variety of goods from fish and vegetables to spices and meat, along with price trends, offering a vivid insight into the richness of the Emirati environment.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Emirati, UK artists unite at Kensington Palace for gala concert by Abu Dhabi Festival, PPT
9 June 2025 20:19 ABU DHABI (WAM)Abu Dhabi Festival, in collaboration with the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT), premiered an extraordinary gala concert with Emirati and international artists at the prestigious Kensington Palace on June 6, marking a significant milestone in the 'Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad' special performance also highlights the festival's mission to build cultural capacities and foster global collaboration through co-production was the culmination of an intensive three-week UK Artist Residency Programme, supported by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in partnership with the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT).During the residency, Emirati artists engaged in rigorous training, rehearsals and seminars with esteemed instructors across prestigious musical venues. The resulting performance presented a repertoire that blended Emirati traditions with global influences and underscored the vital role of cultural exchange in shaping artistic conversations and inspiring new creative the heart of the evening was the world premiere of Ruins of Time, a powerful new composition exclusively commissioned by ADMAF from acclaimed Emirati composer Ihab Darwish, recognised for bringing the UAE's cultural identity to global audiences through programme also featured mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi performing masterpieces by Saint-Saëns, Mozart and Jule Styne, and baritone Ahmed Al Hosani presenting celebrated works by De Curtis and Bizet, alongside international musicians from the concert was conducted by Toby Purser, Artistic Director of the Peace and Prosperity Trust. Together, they shone a spotlight on the immense talent emerging from the UAE and its meaningful contribution to the international creative landscape. The concert followed the success of the Abu Dhabi Festival's pioneering 'Arts @ Embassies' cultural diplomacy initiative, held on May 22 at the UAE Embassy in three exceptional Emirati artists took part in a panel discussion where they shared their artistic journeys and heartfelt reflections on heritage, identity, innovation, and discovery – narratives that are helping shape the future of music. The panel reaffirmed the power of the arts as a platform to foster dialogue, promote understanding, and strengthen cultural ties between the UAE and the Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF and Founder of Abu Dhabi Festival, remarked that the Kensington Palace Gala Concert — held under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, in partnership with the Peace and Prosperity Trust — and the 'Arts @ Embassies' panel discussion, presented as part of the Abu Dhabi Festival Abroad programme, mark the beginning of a new chapter in cultural diplomacy between the UAE and the said, 'This world premiere performance by composer Ihab Darwish, mezzo-soprano Fatima Al Hashimi, and baritone Ahmed Al Hosani, reflects our vision to promote knowledge exchange, cultural dialogue, and the global presentation of Emirati artistic and musical achievements, consolidating the UAE's position as an incubator of creativity and a destination for innovators.'She added, "In parallel with this historic co-production, we also presented the fourth annual edition of our pioneering cultural diplomacy initiative, 'Arts @ Embassies.' As part of the programme, we organised a panel discussion featuring the three exceptional Emirati artists, moderated by Emirati filmmaker and producer Noor Kanoo, to highlight their journeys and experiences in composition and music.'"Culture enhances the depth and strength of diplomatic relations and adds momentum to them. The arts are the bridge that unites us, creating bonds that transcend borders. Therefore, our presentation of Emirati artists within the UK Artist Residency Programme - supported by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) in partnership with The Peace and Prosperity Trust - allows art itself to lead the way."This is one of many successful partnerships that ADMAF has established with British cultural institutions for more than two decades, built on the foundation of cooperation and the long-standing friendship shared by the UK and the UAE,' she Khouri, Founder of the Peace and Prosperity Trust (PPT), stressed the uniqueness of the concert at Kensington Palace, noting it was the first-ever collaboration of PPT with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF).'Not only is it the first time that Emirati artists have collaborated with PPT artists, but it also marks the world premiere of a composition by Ihab Darwish, created especially for this occasion. I was truly amazed that what started with a modest concept, a musical fusion between opera and Arabic music, has grown into a unique cultural brand, gathering its own audiences and practitioners,' he added, 'In the past, the repertoire was often chosen to mirror the needs and purposes of the concerts, but tonight's concert is a showcase for six artists, all at different stages of their careers, from a vast range of backgrounds and musical styles, and with no artistic agenda per se, except to produce music to the best of their abilities.'"This concert comes at the end of three weeks of coaching and training which the Emirati singers underwent with renowned professional artists. It is the result of a visionary idea made possible by Huda Al Khamis-Kanoo, when she met a couple of years ago with The Duke of Gloucester and me.'Through the universal language of music, the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation and The Peace & Prosperity Trust unites their vision of promoting Emirati culture on a global stage. This partnership also plays a vital role in raising the international profile of Emirati artists, fostering their professional growth and expanding their exposure to new and diverse audiences around the Kensington Palace concert and the 'Arts @ Embassies' talk in the UK signal a new chapter in a long-standing journey of exchange and mutual respect between ADMAF and the UK. Since 2007, ADMAF has initiated and supported a wide range of collaborative programmes, inspired by the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose legacy of cultural exchange continues to shape the Festival's mission.
