Abu Dhabi: Palestinian author Rabai Al Madhoun walked away with the 2016 International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) for his ‘Destinies: Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba’ on Tuesday.
Originally launched in 2007, the IPAF has become one of the most prestigious book awards in the Middle East, bringing together the very best of Arabic fiction. This year’s edition saw 159 novels submitted by writers from 18 countries.
Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA), honoured all six finalists including the winner, with the other five finalists hailing from Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Morocco.
Each finalist received a reward of $10,000, with the winner Al Madhoun receiving an additional $50,000.
“I cannot remember and express all my feelings at this moment, I have spent many years talking to the Palestinians of 1948 … Today I received several messages from other Palestinians wishing me the best, and Palestinians who just wanted to have some joy,” he said.
“This victory today shows that Palestinian intellectuals can build a country of creativity, so let the Palestinian people rejoice tonight. With this achievement, we can say that for one year we can stand victorious on the Arab scene,” he added.
On his part, Yasir Sulaiman, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the IPAF, praised this year’s edition, and said the group would continue to strive towards improving Arabic literature as the prize enters its 10th edition next year.
“We had 159 novels from 18 Arab countries, written by authors, men and women of different age categories. The IPAF has been achieving progress every year thanks to the activities of promoting Arab fiction in all Arab countries, and encouraging their translation into other languages,” said Sulaiman.
“The IPAF would also like to extend its gratitude to the TCA for their continued help and their support for Arab culture in all Arab countries,” he added.
Other five finalists
Mercury, by Mohammad Rabie, Egypt, published by Dar Tanweer
A Sky Close to our House, by Shahla Ujayli, Syria, published by Difaf Publication
Numedia, by Tareq Bakari, Morocco, published by Dar Al Adab
Praise for the Women of the Family, by Mahmoud Shukair, Palestine, published by Hachette Antoine
Guard of the Dead, by George Yaraq, Lebanon, published by Difaf Publications
