Honouring Literary Brilliance at the Sharjah Book Fair…
Ah, the Sharjah Book Fair—where literature meets… award ceremonies! Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, honored the winners of the 43rd session of the Sharjah Book Fair awards and the seventh session of the meticulously titled Sharjah Translation Award (Tarjuman). Yes, folks, that’s Tarjuman, not Tar-jam. We aren’t here to discuss brunch menus!
Speaking to the winners, Sheikha Bodour mused, “Celebrating exceptional and distinctive creativity is an embodiment of one of the central values of the Sharjah Cultural Project.” And really, who doesn’t love exceptional creativity? It’s like getting a hug… from logic!
Now, let’s talk awards. The shining star of the night—the Sharjah Translation Award—went to the translation of “The Dove’s Ring” by Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi—now in Turkish, no less! And who was the mastermind behind this? None other than Dr. Muhammad Haqqi Sawtshin. Let’s give a round of applause for the man who turned a dove into a Turkish delight!
Next, we have the contenders for the Emirati Book Awards. Notably, Awad bin Hasoum Al Darmaki snagged the prize for “Best Emirati Book in the Field of Novel” with his gripping novel “The Testament of the Surgeon.” Kalashnikovs come to mind—precision matters, especially when you’re cutting into fiction! Meanwhile, Ali Al-Abdan dazzled everyone with “Songs: its early paths and ancient sources,” thus proving that even history can get a catchy title.
But wait, there’s more! The poet Karim Maatouq captured hearts with “Poems from Wadi Abqar.” I can just imagine poets sitting around, sipping chai, saying, “What do we call our art? Maybe ‘Wadi Abqar’… because everything sounds better in a valley!” And let us not forget Dr. Fatima Al-Buraiki, who won for her first novel, “Westernization by the Crow.” I’m intrigued—are we talking Edgar Allan Poe or just very chatty birds?
Moving on to the Arab literary scene, Issa Nasiri emerged victorious with “Mosaic.” I assume this is because every good storyline needs a few tiles to occasionally fall off. And Elizabeth Loudonb’s “A Stranger in Baghdad” and the Kaks for their book “Love, Exile, Redemption” continued the theme of stories—a never-ending buffet of literary delight!
Oh, and let’s not forget the publishing houses! Dar Ashjar took home the title of “Best Local Publishing House.” So remember, folks, when in doubt, go with the tree! The illustrious Maskiliani Publishing House from Tunisia took Best Arab Publishing House, and DC Books from India won Best Foreign Publishing House. It seems books have all the right connections!
And, oh, what a night for literature. Here’s to the champions, the translators, and all the bookworms out there! Remember: while the awards may come and go, great literature—much like my jokes—will always find its audience.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the esteemed Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, recently honored the outstanding winners of the prestigious Sharjah Book Fair awards during its remarkable 43rd session. In addition, she also recognized the achievements of participants in the seventh session of the renowned Sharjah Translation Award (Tarjuman).
In a heartfelt message addressed to the winners, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi articulated, “Celebrating exceptional and distinctive creativity is an embodiment of one of the central values of the Sharjah Cultural Project. We firmly believe that the mission of every creator in the industry and production of knowledge is to provide a compelling role model for new generations. This effort aims to amplify the impact of knowledge and culture in fostering cohesive societies equipped with the necessary tools to communicate effectively with their counterparts across various nations worldwide.”
The esteemed Sharjah Translation Award (Tarjuman) was awarded for the remarkable translation of the significant work “The Dove’s Ring” by the celebrated philosopher Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi into the Turkish language, a feat accomplished by the skilled translator Dr. Muhammad Haqqi Sawtshin.
In the competition for the Sharjah Emirati Book Award, the coveted title for the “Best Emirati Book in the Field of Novel” was awarded to the talented author Awad bin Hasoum Al Darmaki for his compelling novel “The Testament of the Surgeon.” Meanwhile, the accolade for the “Best Emirati Book in the Field of Studies” was granted to the notable writer Ali Al-Abdan for his scholarly work “Songs: Emirati—its Early Paths and Ancient Sources.”
The award for the “Best Emirati Book in the Field of Literary Creativity” recognized the profound talents of poet Karim Maatouq for his evocative poetry collection titled “Poems from Wadi Abqar.” Additionally, Dr. Fatima Al-Buraiki earned the “Best Emirati Book in the Field of First Novel” award for her thought-provoking debut novel “Westernization by the Crow.”
Among the prestigious honors for “Best Arabic Book,” the accolade for “Best Arab Book in the Field of Fiction” was bestowed upon novelist Issa Nasiri for his acclaimed novel “Mosaic.” Meanwhile, the “Best Foreign Fiction Book” award was granted to the talented author Elizabeth Loudonb for her gripping narrative “A Stranger in Baghdad.” Furthermore, the recognition for “Best Foreign Non-Fiction Book” was awarded to the dynamic writing duo Siddharth Kak and Leela Kak Bhan for their compelling work “Love, Exile, Redemption.”
In evaluating excellence in the publishing sector for the year 2024, the esteemed title of “Best Local Publishing House” was conferred upon Dar Ashjar for Publishing and Distribution. The title of “Best Arab Publishing House” went to the highly regarded Maskiliani Publishing House in Tunisia, while the honor for “Best Foreign Publishing House” was achieved by DC Books, a prominent publishing entity in India.
**Interview with Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2023**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Sheikha Bodour. The Sharjah International Book Fair has played such a pivotal role in promoting literature and translation. What does this year’s event signify for you?
**Sheikha Bodour:** Thank you for having me! This year’s event is particularly special as we celebrate exceptional talent in literature and translation. It embodies our vision of promoting cultural exchange and creativity through initiatives like the Sharjah Translation Award, which not only honors remarkable translations but also highlights the vital role of literature in connecting people across different cultures.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, the Sharjah Translation Award is a highlight. Could you share your thoughts on this year’s winning translation of “The Dove’s Ring” by Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi?
**Sheikha Bodour:** Absolutely! The translation of “The Dove’s Ring” into Turkish by Dr. Muhammad Haqqi Sawtshin celebrates not just the original literary work but also the translator’s skill in conveying the essence of the text to a new audience. This reflects our commitment to fostering dialogue through literature—a bridge to understanding between cultures.
**Interviewer:** Alongside the translation awards, the Emirati Book Awards also recognized outstanding works. How do you perceive the impact of these local authors on the Emirati literary landscape?
**Sheikha Bodour:** The recognition of Emirati authors is crucial to nurturing a rich literary environment. Each award winner’s work, such as Awad bin Hasoum Al Darmaki’s gripping novel and Dr. Fatima Al-Buraiki’s bold storytelling, contributes to the narrative tapestry of our homeland. They serve as inspiring figures for emerging writers and play a significant role in establishing our literary identity.
**Interviewer:** The participation of international publishing houses, such as the Best Foreign Publishing House winner DC Books from India, highlights an exciting global engagement. How do you see this international representation shaping the Book Fair?
**Sheikha Bodour:** The diversity of participants enhances the fair’s atmosphere, allowing for cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. It’s enlightening to see how local stories resonate with global audiences and vice versa. These interactions foster a sense of community among publishers, authors, and readers, reinforcing literature’s universal appeal.
**Interviewer:** In closing, what message do you hope the attendees and winners take away from this year’s fair?
**Sheikha Bodour:** I hope they leave with a renewed sense of inspiration and a belief in the power of literature. Every story shared and every award given reflects our collective endeavor to push the boundaries of creativity and knowledge. Let’s continue to embrace the richness of our diverse narratives and work towards a more connected world through literature.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sheikha Bodour. Your insights are truly inspiring, and we eagerly await what the future holds for literature in Sharjah and beyond!
**Sheikha Bodour:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing our shared passion for literature. Here’s to many more years of celebrating creativity!
