Latest news with #SZBA
Al Etihad
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
ALC opens nominations for 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award until September 1
11 June 2025 14:29 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has opened nominations for its 20th edition, accepting applications from June 11 until September 1, 2025. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the award's establishment, this special edition reflects its pioneering journey in enriching the cultural and literary landscapes, and strengthens its presence as an international platform supporting intellectual and creative excellence, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for inter-civilisational dialogue and cultural as one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Arab world, the SZBA accepts submissions across 10 categories: Literature, Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Children's Literature, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, Literary and Art Criticism, Young Author, Cultural Personality of the Year, and Publishing and announcement follows the conclusion of the award's 19th edition, which received more than 4,000 nominations from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations. Several countries were participating in the award for the first time, including Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali, which highlights the award's growing prominence on the regional and international cultural Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'As the Sheikh Zayed Book Award enters its 20th edition, we celebrate its remarkable journey and enduring impact on the global cultural and literary landscape. Its mission is more relevant than ever, to foster dialogue and knowledge, advance the Arabic language, and champion the exchange of ideas across boundaries. As we look to the future, the award remains a powerful force for shaping minds, enriching lives, and inspiring future generations. In the years to come, the award will continue to reflect the values that lie at the heart of our emirate's vision.'Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary-General of the SZBA, said: 'The 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award marks a significant milestone following two decades of uninterrupted cultural work and achievements that have left their mark on the Arab and international literary and intellectual scenes." Bin Tamim added, "Under the patronage of our wise leadership, the award has established itself as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange, cementing the power of the written word to shape human civilisation and the future. Today, as we launch this new edition of the award, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting creative minds, preserving the Arabic language, and promoting culture as a cornerstone of comprehensive development."'We are proud of the tangible impact the award has made on the cultural landscape in its 19 years, during which we received over 30,000 nominations from more than 80 countries and honoured 136 winners across its various categories. These figures are not mere statistics, but a living testament to the growing confidence the award inspires among literary and intellectual circles. They assert the leadership role it plays in advancing authorship, translation, and critical studies, underlining its contributions towards promoting cultural dialogue, in line with the UAE's vision and mission to support human development.'Nomination conditions for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award stipulate that each candidate may nominate one work to one category, and the work must not have been nominated for any other prize in the same year, either directly or through a representative. Submitted works should also carry a valid International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to ensure the author's intellectual property rights are award will not be granted to any work that has previously won a major Arab or international prize, however, resubmission is allowed, provided the stipulated time gap has been met and new copies of the work are also allow authors to self-nominate or be nominated by publishers who may apply only for works they have issued, on the condition that the publisher receives written consent from the author. Nominated books need to have been published within the last two years at most, and should not have won any major international submitted works should be written in Arabic, except those submitted under the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, which can be in other languages, as well as the Translation category (whether translated into or from Arabic) and the Arab Culture in Other Languages category, where works published in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are the Cultural Personality of the Year award, candidates must be nominated by academic, research, or cultural institutions; literary bodies and universities; or by three prominent intellectual and/or cultural figures. Nominees for all other categories must personally fill out the nomination forms on the SZBA official its initial launch in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has served as a prominent international platform for creativity, promoting Arab publishing, and fostering inter-civilisational dialogue, drawing inspiration from the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award continues its mission to empower creative minds, fuel intellectual production, and elevate the global standing of the Arabic language, all in line with a strategic vision that reinforces Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for cultural dialogue, coexistence, and tolerance. To submit a nomination to the 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, or for more information about the submission process and forms, visit the official SZBA website ( which offers up-to-date and comprehensive information in English and Arabic. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
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).
