Latest news with #SZBA
Al Etihad
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Sheikh Zayed Book Award celebrates literary contributions enriching Arab culture
30 Apr 2025 00:22 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The winners of the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) have expressed their appreciation, highlighting the cultural significance of the award in recognising, supporting and boosting literary works, scholars and emerging award recognises outstanding works from around the world in the categories of Literature, Children's Literature, Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Literary and Art Criticism, Arab Culture in Other Languages, and Editing of Arabic year's winners hail from seven countries, including the UK, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco and the by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the 19th edition of the SZBA received more than 4,000 submissions from 75 countries, including 20 Arab the Translation category, Italian scholar Marco Di Branco was awarded for his 2024 English translation of "Orosius", a classical work first translated from Latin to Arabic. The bilingual edition features both Arabic and English texts, making the work accessible to a broader audience and shedding light on historical Arab-European cultural exchange."My work focuses on translating a 10th-century CE Greek romance into Arabic under Andalusian caliph al-Ḥakam II," Di Branco said."Remarkably, it was a collaboration between a Muslim and a Christian translator - a powerful example of East-West cooperation."Initially trained in Romance studies, Di Branco shifted focus to explore the intersection of Greek romance and Arab culture. "The book bridges East and West, offering a beautiful message of cooperation and peace," he added. Di Branco expressed his appreciation of the recognition."It is a great honour. I am now planning a European project on the Muslim reception of Greek romance."In the Arab Culture in Other Languages category, UK researcher Andrew Peacock won the award for his book "Arabic Literary Culture in Southeast Asia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries."The book explores Arabic's presence in Southeast Asia, using a wide range of Arabic manuscripts - many from the National Library of Indonesia and other global collections."The book deals basically with the easternmost regions in which Arabic was used, a topic which has never been investigated in a serious way to date by scholars."It also aims to convey a much more comprehensive understanding of the role of Arabic, as a global phenomenon, he also drew attention to the importance of preserving manuscripts, noting that the award reflects how seriously this is taken in the author Hoda Barakat won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature for her 2024 novel "Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World."The story follows a woman with acromegaly and explores life on the margins, questioning beauty standards and societal norms through a rich, introspective voice."I am very happy with this honour, and proud of any international award, let alone one of this magnitude and with such cultural and civilisational significance. Abu Dhabi holds a special place in my heart... This reinforces the sense of balance between the Arab world and the outside world," Barakat said."The Arabic language is not a slogan for them, but a true belief... the committee genuinely supports Arab creativity," she writer Latifa Labsir won the award for Children's Literature for "The Phantom of Sabiba."The novel, told through the eyes of an older sister, delicately explores autism and its impact on families, blending literary storytelling with educational insight."The novel sheds light on autism, a complex topic that demands both scientific understanding and creative sensitivity. Before writing, I attended workshops, visited centres, and studied extensively to present an honest and artistic portrayal," she added that the story, spanning 21 chapters, follows Raji, a boy on the autism spectrum, and the daily efforts of his family to support him through therapy, speech sessions, and imaginative engagement."I wanted readers to reflect - just as people with autism seem different to us, we also appear different to them. Difference is not a flaw, it's a form of uniqueness," she Said Laouadi from Morocco won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Literary and Art Criticism category for his 2023 book "Food and Language: Cultural Excavations in Arab Heritage."His work explores the deep ties between food and rhetoric in Arab heritage, offering a new lens he terms "cultural rhetoric.""This book sheds light on food in Arabic heritage literature, exploring how it shapes and is shaped by speech. I focused on how food influences rhetorical expression.""It's the result of years of research. I introduced the concept of 'cultural rhetoric' to read heritage texts from a new perspective," he added."This award is a great honour-not a final destination but encouragement to keep exploring and contributing to this field."Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category for his critical edition of "News of Women."The book is a rare historical and literary resource, considered one of the first global collections of women's works, and reflects deep scholarly insight."Working on 'News of Women' led me to over 250 sources and opened the door to new ideas. While it doesn't explicitly discuss women's rights, it offers a fair and respectful portrayal of women for its time," Alkhayoun said."Winning this award feels like earning a new academic certificate. It's a major milestone in my career because the book underwent thorough scholarly review," he continued. "The Sheikh Zayed Award has become globally recognised, with winners from all over the world, highlighting its growing cultural influence," Alkhayoun added.
Al Etihad
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Under the patronage of UAE President, Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed honours winners of 19th Sheikh Zayed Book Award
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, honoured the winners of the 19th Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) in a special ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). In attendance were His Excellency Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi; His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of UAE University; His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; His Excellency Dr Ali bin Tamim, Secretary General of the Shiekh Zayed Book Award and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan handed the award to winners across all categories, namely, Lebanese/French author Hoda Barakat in the Literature category; Moroccan writer Latifa Labsir in Children's Literature; Italian translator Marco Di Branco in Translation; and researcher Dr Said Laouadi from Morocco in Literary and Art Criticism. The list also included Emirati Prof. Dr. Mohammed Bechari in the Contribution to the Development of Nations category; UK researcher Andrew Peacock in Arab Culture in Other Languages; and researcher Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK in Editing of Arabic Manuscripts. His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also honoured renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami as the Cultural Personality of the Year, in recognition of his literary career that helped enrich the world's libraries with unique novels and contributions, where his works are widely read and translated around the globe, reflecting literature's ability to bring different cultures closer together. The event was held on the sidelines of the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2025), which launched on April 26 and is scheduled to continue until May 5, 2025. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), the 19th edition of the SZBA received a record-breaking number of submissions with more than 4,000 applications sent in from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations. Five countries participated in the award for the first time this year, namely, Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali. These figures reflect the prestigious position the award has come to enjoy in the international cultural scene, highlighting its role in cementing the UAE's status as a global intellectual and cultural centre, and a hub for creative thinkers and researchers from around the world. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is one of the most prominent literary and cultural prizes in the Arab world. Since its launch in 2006, the award has been celebrating outstanding achievements of thinkers and creators in Arabic, as well as other languages, honouring authors who enrich Arab culture with their notable works in fields of literature, human sciences, translation, publishing, and development. The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year award is presented with a gold medal, a certificate of appreciation, and a prize of Dh1 million, while winners in the other categories receive a prize of Dh750,000, along with a gold medal and certificate of appreciation, in a bid to support intellectual and creative output, strengthening sustainability in cultural activities in the Arab region and the world.
Gulf Today
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Emirati professor among winners of Zayed Book Award
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) announced the winners and Cultural Personality of the Year for the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). Dr. Said Laouadi from Morocco received the SZBA in the Literary and Art Criticism category for his book 'Food and Language: Cultural Excavations in Arab Heritage' published in 2023 by Afrique Orient. His work offers a critique of the complex relation between rhetoric and food in Arab heritage, analysing literary texts from poetry to proverbs and stories from a broad cultural perspective. With its in-depth analysis and broad scope, his research enriches rhetorical studies with new, unconventional approaches. Meanwhile, the Contribution to the Development of Nations category saw Emirati Prof. Dr. Mohammed Bechari win for his book 'The Right to Strive: Perspectives on Muslim Women's Rights', issued in 2024 by Nahdet Misr Publishing. The book provides a jurisprudential and foundational study of the concept of 'striving and effort' in Islam, highlighting its ability to adapt to modern social developments. It reinforces involving women as equal partners in society, in a straightforward academic approach backed by credible sources, which makes it a notable addition to Arab and international libraries. UK researcher Andrew Peacock won in the Arab Culture in Other Languages category for his book 'Arabic Literary Culture in Southeast Asia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries', published by Brill in 2024. The book offers a scientific study shedding light on the spread of Arabic language and culture in southeast Asia, and its relation to Sufi philosophy and the official discourses of rulers in that region. It opens up new areas of research into the impact of Arab culture beyond its traditional context, making it an invaluable source for researchers in this field. In the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, the SZBA went to Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK for his critical edition of the book 'News of Women', published by the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in 2024. The book is a rare resource on the subject, featuring advanced scientific research where the editor exhibited a deep understanding of the text and its historicity. The book provides a valuable contribution to literary and historical studies, and is considered one of the first global collections of women's works.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
UAE: SZBA Announces Winners, Cultural Personality of Year for 19th Edition
Under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the winners and Cultural Personality of the year for the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). The announcement on Tuesday followed a meeting of the SZBA Board of Trustees, which discussed the final results of the evaluation process led by the judging panels and the award's Scientific Committee, based on the highest literary and cultural standards. This year's winners hail from seven countries - the UK, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco and the UAE. The selection of the winners was based on objective, scientific criteria and rigorous governance upheld by the award. The meeting was headed by Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the SZBA Board of Trustees, and attended by Board members Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the DCT Abu Dhabi; Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director-General of the National Archives and Library; Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary-General of the SZBA; and Abdulrahman Al Naqbi, Director of the ALC's Literary Awards Department. "With its forward-looking vision and pledge to the highest standards of evaluation and governance, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award reinforces the UAE's position as a global center for creativity and knowledge,' said Al Mubarak. 'It has moved beyond being a simple act of recognition to become a strategic national initiative promoting the production of knowledge, and a catalyst for a cultural and scientific movement, reflecting our leadership's commitment to culture and knowledge as cornerstones of sustainable development and human prosperity." Dr. Bin Tamim congratulated the winners for their outstanding achievements. 'Their works were inspiring, tackling new and distinguished topics that delve deep into the human condition and shed light on time and history, which made them stand out to the Award organizers and earn their admiration,' he said. He also congratulated the Cultural Personality of the Year—Haruki Murakami—adding that the renowned Japanese novelist has truly merited this accolade for his body of literary work, characterized by its unique style between fantasy and extreme realism. He noted that the author's literature and writings have made a profound influence far beyond Japan, and his selection this year reaffirms the award's determination to connect various cultures and civilizations through dialogue, literature, and intellectual thought. Lebanese/French author Hoda Barakat won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Literature category for her novel 'Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World'. Moroccan writer Latifa Labsir won the Children's Literature category for her book 'The Phantom of Sabiba'. In the Translation category, Marco Di Branco from Italy won for his translation from Arabic to English of 'Orosius' by Paulus Orosius. Dr. Said Laouadi from Morocco received the SZBA in the Literary and Art Criticism category for his book 'Food and Language: Cultural Excavations in Arab Heritage'. The Contribution to the Development of Nations category saw Emirati Prof. Dr. Mohammed Bechari win for his book 'The Right to Strive: Perspectives on Muslim Women's Rights'. UK researcher Andrew Peacock won in the Arab Culture in Other Languages category for his book 'Arabic Literary Culture in Southeast Asia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries'. In the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, the SZBA went to Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK for his critical edition of the book 'News of Women'. The award honored renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami as the Cultural Personality of the Year in recognition of his creative career and widespread literary influence, unbound by borders, impacting both Arab and Western cultures. His works are widely read and translated worldwide, reflecting literature's ability to bring differing cultures closer together. The winners and Cultural Personality of the Year for the award's 19th edition will be honored on April 28 in a ceremony organized by the ALC in parallel with the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF).
Gulf Today
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Haruki Murakami is Zayed Book Award's Cultural Personality of the Year
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) announced the winners and Cultural Personality of the Year for the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA). The Sheikh Zayed Book Award honoured renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami as the Cultural Personality of the Year, in recognition of his creative career and widespread literary influence, unbound by borders, impacting both Arab and Western cultures. His works are widely read and translated around the world, reflecting literature's ability to bring differing cultures closer together. Murakami is one of the most prominent and popular contemporary novelists, with millions of copies of his novels printed every year and translated into numerous languages, including Arabic. His literature is characterised by its universality, expressing human concerns that transcend cultural boundaries, with a unique blend of Japanese literature and international influences. His writings are renowned for their ability to explore issues of identity, belonging, and individual freedom in a distinctive narrative style that combines realism and fantasy. The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year award is presented with a gold medal, a certificate of appreciation, and a prize of Dhs1 million, while winners in the other categories receive a prize of Dhs750,000, along with a gold medal and a certificate of appreciation, in honour of their outstanding creative and intellectual contributions. The winners and Cultural Personality of the Year for the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award will be honoured on Monday 28 April, in a ceremony organised by the ALC in parallel with the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). Board of Trustees meeting The announcement followed a meeting of the SZBA Board of Trustees, which discussed the final results of the evaluation process led by the judging panels and the award's Scientific Committee, based on the highest literary and cultural standards. This year's winners hail from seven countries around the world, including the UK, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Iraq, Morocco and the UAE. The selection of the winners was based on objective, scientific criteria and rigorous governance upheld by the award. The meeting was headed by Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the SZBA Board of Trustees, and attended by Board members Dr. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Adviser to H.H. the UAE President; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the DCT Abu Dhabi; Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Archives and Library; Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary General of the SZBA; and Abdulrahman Al Naqbi, Director of the ALC's Literary Awards Department. Spirit of excellence Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, DCT Abu Dhabi Chairman, said: 'Congratulations to this year's outstanding winners. Their contributions reflect the spirit of excellence, creativity and cultural dialogue that the Sheikh Zayed Book Award celebrates, which will continue to inspire future generations and enrich the literary landscape. With its forward-looking vision and pledge to the highest standards of evaluation and governance, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award reinforces the UAE's position as a global centre for creativity and knowledge. It has moved beyond being a simple act of recognition to become a strategic national initiative promoting the production of knowledge, and a catalyst for a cultural and scientific movement, reflecting our leadership's commitment to culture and knowledge as cornerstones of sustainable development and human prosperity.' ALC Chairman and Secretary General of the SZBA Dr. Ali Bin Tamim noted: 'I congratulate the winners of the 19th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for their outstanding achievements, which have contributed to the enrichment of the Arab and international cultural scene. Their works were inspiring, tackling new and distinguished topics that delve deep into the human condition and shed light on time and history, which made them stand out to the Award organisers and earn their admiration. This year's edition recorded unprecedented competition, reflecting the pioneering and prestigious status of the Award, which, over the past year, was able to attract distinguished literary and scientific works that have made valuable contributions to the Arab, regional, and global libraries.' Bin Tamim also congratulated the Cultural Personality of the Year — Haruki Murakami — adding that renowned Japanese novelist has truly merited this accolade for his body of literary work, characterised by its unique style, between fantasy and extreme realism. Bin Tamim noted that the author's literature and writings have made a profound influence far beyond Japan, and his selection this year reaffirms the Award's determination to connect various cultures and civilisations through dialogue, literature, and intellectual thought. It also highlights its commitment to celebrating creative minds from around the world, cementing its pioneering role in enriching the global cultural and literary scene. Sheikh Zayed Book Award winners in 2025 Lebanese/French author Hoda Barakat won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Literature category for her novel 'Hind or the Most Beautiful Woman in the World', published by Dar Aladab in 2024. The novel explores a new and contemporary idea, revolving around the female protagonist who suffers from acromegaly. With a reflective narrative voice, it investigates the life of people who live on the margins of society. Barakat examines the psychological and physical challenges these individuals face, exploring beauty standards in various cultures through complex characters and a rich, analytical, and human-centric voice. Meanwhile, Moroccan writer Latifa Labsir won the Children's Literature category for her book 'The Phantom of Sabiba', released by Markaz Kitab in 2024. Highlighting autism The book addresses the topic of autism, using a sensitive voice that speaks to children and youth. Narrated from the perspective of an elder sister telling the story of her autistic brother, the novel highlights the need for public awareness and a positive approach to autism, using a refined, artistic style that combines narrative aesthetic and a deep educational message. In the Translation category, Marco Di Branco from Italy won for his translation from Arabic to English of 'Orosius' by Paulus Orosius, published by Pisa University Press in 2024. The publication is a notable scientific achievement that brings a classical work to life that had previously been translated from Latin to Arabic before being translated into English in a tone that makes it easier for readers – including Arabic readers – to understand. The book includes the Arabic and English versions, offering a valuable reference to study Arab cultural exchange with other civilisations. Dr. Said Laouadi from Morocco received the SZBA in the Literary and Art Criticism category for his book 'Food and Language: Cultural Excavations in Arab Heritage' published in 2023 by Afrique Orient. His work offers a critique of the complex relation between rhetoric and food in Arab heritage, analysing literary texts from poetry to proverbs and stories from a broad cultural perspective. With its in-depth analysis and broad scope, his research enriches rhetorical studies with new, unconventional approaches. Meanwhile, the Contribution to the Development of Nations category saw Emirati Prof. Dr. Mohammed Bechari win for his book 'The Right to Strive: Perspectives on Muslim Women's Rights', issued in 2024 by Nahdet Misr Publishing. The book provides a jurisprudential and foundational study of the concept of 'striving and effort' in Islam, highlighting its ability to adapt to modern social developments. It reinforces involving women as equal partners in society, in a straightforward academic approach backed by credible sources, which makes it a notable addition to Arab and international libraries. UK researcher Andrew Peacock won in the Arab Culture in Other Languages category for his book 'Arabic Literary Culture in Southeast Asia in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries', published by Brill in 2024. The book offers a scientific study shedding light on the spread of Arabic language and culture in southeast Asia, and its relation to Sufi philosophy and the official discourses of rulers in that region. It opens up new areas of research into the impact of Arab culture beyond its traditional context, making it an invaluable source for researchers in this field. In the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, the SZBA went to Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK for his critical edition of the book 'News of Women', published by the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in 2024. The book is a rare resource on the subject, featuring advanced scientific research where the editor exhibited a deep understanding of the text and its historicity. The book provides a valuable contribution to literary and historical studies, and is considered one of the first global collections of women's works. Over 4,000 applications from 75 nations Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the award's 19th edition received a record-breaking number of submissions, with over 4,000 applications sent in from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations. Five countries participated in the award for the first time this year, namely Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is one of the most prominent independent literary and academic prizes. It adds notable value to the global cultural scene, supporting publishing and translation and honouring creators, thinkers, and publishers for their accomplishments in research, writing, and translation. Moreover, the Award plays a key role in encouraging cultural diversity and building bridges between civilisations, driven by its vision to promote dialogue, openness, and knowledge exchange among nations.
