Zayed Book Award nominations open till October

Abu Dhabi

The Shaikh Zayed Book Award has announced that it is accepting nominations for its eighth edition (2013-2014) until October 15.

Categories of the award include Contribution to the Development of Nations, Children’s Literature [including adolescents’ books], Young Author, Translation, Literature, Literary and Art Criticism, Arab Culture in non-Arabic Language (Russian, Italian and English), Publishing and Technology, and Cultural Personality of the Year (open to individuals and organisations).

The first ever award in 2007 went to Dr Mohammad Ali Ahmad from Egypt, writer of a collection of six series, “Rehla ‘ala al Waraq” (A Journey On Paper) published by Dar Al Arabiya Lil Kitab, Cairo, 2006. The series describe diverse scientific topics including the world of insects, and characteristics of planets, with a combination of real imagery and age-specific language.

In 2008, the Kuwaiti author Huda Al Shawa Qadoumi won the Award for her book “Rehlat al Toyoor li Jabal qaf” (The Birds’ Journey to Qaf Mount) published by Dar Al Saqi, Beirut 2008. The story is based on a Sufi poem by the twelfth-century Persian poet Farid Al Deen Attar. The accompanying illustrations, by Vanessa Hodgkinson are originally painted on ceramic tiles echoing a medium that was typically used in medieval Persia and the Middle East. The high quality production of the book coupled with its intriguing story plot gained it the recognition it deserved by the Shaikh Zayed Book Award judges.

In 2010, a talented Emirati writer, Qais Sedki, won the award for his “Sewar Al Dahab” (Gold Ring) published by UAE-based Page flip, 2008. The book is the first Arabic book illustrated using the Japanese Manga style. The book tells the story of Sultan, a 15-year-old Emirati, and his falcon Majed as they compete in a fictional sport called gold ring, based on traditional falconry.

In 2011, the Egyptian author, Afaf Tobbala, won first place in the children’s literature category for her book “Al Bayt Wal Nakhlah” (The House and the Palm Tree) published by Nahdet Misr, Cairo, 2011. The book is a sophisticated diversion from mainstream’ children’s literature as it explores the inner worlds of children in a masterful story-telling style and allows them to reflect on their surroundings.

In 2012, Abdo Wazen, from Lebanon, won for his book, “Al Fata allathi Ra’a Lawn al- Hawa” (The boy Who Saw the Colour of Air) published by Arab Scientific Publishers, 2011. The novel describes in beautiful narrative language the life of children with special needs, often neglected in youngsters’ literature. The story revolves around Basem, a 13-year-old boy, who is blind, and who learns how to read and open up to the world driven by his willpower.