Winners of the 18th Sheikh Zayed Book Award in Arts & Culture honored by Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed

The prestigious Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) recently celebrated its 18th edition with a grand ceremony held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, honoured the winners in various categories.

The ceremony was attended by esteemed guests including Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the SZBA Board of Trustees; Dr Neveen Al-Kilani, Egypt’s Minister of Culture; Dr Sharif Mahmoud Eissa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UAE; and other dignitaries from the cultural and literary world.

This year’s edition of the SZBA received a record number of submissions, with 4,240 nominations from 74 countries. The diversity and richness of the entries showcased the global appeal and significance of the award in promoting Arabic literature and culture on an international platform.

The winners of the 18th Sheikh Zayed Book Award were announced and honoured during the ceremony. Egyptian author Reem Bassiouney clinched the award in the Literature category, while Dr Houssem Eddine Chachia from Tunisia was recognized in the Young Author category. Dr Mustafa Said from Egypt received the award for Editing of Arabic Manuscripts.

In the Contribution to the Development of Nations category, Dr Khalifa Alromaithi from the UAE was acknowledged for his outstanding work. Dr Ahmed Somai from Tunisia was awarded in the Translation category, and Frank Griffel from Germany was recognized in the Arab Culture in Other Languages category. The Publishing and Technology category saw China-based Bayt Elhekma for Creative Industries emerge as the winner.

Casa Árabe in Spain was honoured as the Cultural Personality of the Year for its significant contributions in bridging Arab and Spanish cultures and promoting Arabic language and culture in Europe and Latin America.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, established in 2006, aims to celebrate the achievements of creators and thinkers in literature, arts, and humanities in Arabic and other languages. It also recognizes authors who contribute to the understanding and appreciation of Arab culture and civilization in various languages.

The award ceremony highlighted the importance of literary and cultural exchange in enriching the intellectual and literary landscape across different fields of knowledge and humanities. The SZBA continues to be a beacon of excellence in promoting Arabic literature and fostering cross-cultural dialogue on a global scale.

The event concluded with a sense of pride and accomplishment as the winners were lauded for their exceptional contributions to the world of literature and culture. The Sheikh Zayed Book Award remains a symbol of excellence and innovation in the literary world, inspiring future generations of writers and thinkers to continue pushing the boundaries of creativity and knowledge.