Dubai: A total of five Arab writers and scholars have been announced winners of the 15th edition of Al Owais Cultural Awards for their outstanding literary works that contributed to Arab culture.
Selected from among 1,662 candidates nominated in the different categories of the award, Shawqi Bazi, Huda Barakat, Abdul Khaliq Al Rikabi, Dr Hammadi Sammoud and George Qirm were announced as winners by the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation.
Presented every two years, the awards aim at honouring, encouraging and supporting Arab scholars, litterateurs and intellectuals so they can play their role in cultural, intellectual and scientific development in the Arab homeland.
Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Secretary General of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, said the winners were selected by the Award’s jury committee. “They were granted the awards in recognition of the depth and authenticity of their experience, their force of expression and their contribution to contemporary Arab culture,” he said.
Every year, the winners are awarded for their poetry, stories, novels, play, criticism and literary studies, and futuristic and humanitarian studies. The only condition is that their work must reflect Arab thought, portray the aspirations of Arab people and influence scholarly, literary and cultural life. The Award can be presented to nominee for one or more outstanding works, which have had deep impact on Arab cultural life.
Ahmad said that the poet Shawqi Bazi’ was granted the Poetry Award for his authentic poetic experience which revolves around three pivotal themes; the homeland, women, and time.
“He skilfully works on various forms of traditions that have been passed down through the generations and merges them with modern aesthetic patterns, which underline their human depth and creative imagination,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the “Short Story, Novel and Drama” Award was jointly won by Huda Barakat and Abdul Khaliq Al Rikabi in recognition of the exquisite narrative techniques they employ in their creative texts and their ability to create narratives that are responsive to the changes of reality and which reflect the deepest thoughts and feelings of the human self.
The works of Huda Barakat tackle themes of bereavement, loss and violence as she searches for meaning amid the chaos around her. She writes in a highly expressive language about characters and history and her novels are characterised by autobiographical and narrative styles of writing.
On the other hand, Abdul Khaliq Al Rikabi’s writings present an eclectic mix of philosophy, sculpture, music, plastic art and even audio-visual texts. His wide knowledge has enabled him to produce sophisticated narratives that work on various symbolic levels and has also assisted him in weaving intricate plots and in developing new themes.
Ahmad added that the “Literary Studies and Criticism” Award was granted to Dr Hammadi Sammoud in recognition of his contribution to the enrichment of the field of contemporary Arabic criticism, as he has developed new ideas and approaches in Arabic eloquence and rhetoric.
“He is one of very few scholars whose writings are characterised by the highest degree of depth and accuracy and he always succeeds in tracing great findings of human knowledge to their roots in Arab culture,” Ahmad said.
Meanwhile, the “Humanities and Future Studies Award” went to Dr George Qirm, for the comprehensive scope of his writings and deep analysis of issues and his realistic approach to tackling economic problems and concerns. “He provides us with forecasts and scenarios of the future that question many givens as he avidly monitors regional and international developments and transformations,” Ahmad said.
The jury committee also received 237 nominations for the Cultural and Scientific Achievement Award, which is granted by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and the winner will be announced at a later date.
The award distribution ceremony will be take place in mid-March, 2018.
