(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The Sheikh Zayed Book Award announced today the four winners in its 9th session (2014/2015).
The Literature Award went to Osama Alaysa from Palestine for his novel, "Majaneen bait lahem" (The fools of Bethlehem), while Hanawa Haruo from Japan was named winner of the Translation Award for his work on Naguib Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy (Palace Walk, Palace of Desire and Sugar Street) translated to Japanese.
The Arab Culture in Other Languages Award went to Sugita Hideaki, also from Japan, for his book, Arabian-Naito to Nihon-Jin (The Arabian Nights and the Japanese), while Arab Scientific Publishers Inc. from Lebanon won the Publishing and Technology Award.
Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Secretary-General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, congratulated the winners of all categories for their achievements, stressing that their work deserved this grand recognition, especially as the Sheikh Zayed Book Award thrives to live up to its name as it honours the memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and its mission to celebrate outstanding writers, intellectuals, publishers as well as young talent whose writings and translations of humanities have scholarly and objectively enriched Arab cultural, literary and social life.
Mr. bin Tamim explained that the winners' selection came after extensive discussions between the Awards' Board of Trustees and the Scientific Committee of the results submitted by the judging panels across the Award's nine Categories.
The judges independently evaluated submitted works from over 31 countries worldwide in this year's session, which were translated in a longlist and a shortlist of contenders for the selection of the winning titles.
He also expressed his gratitude to members of the Board of Trustees, Scientific Committee, the judging panels and reading panels for their efforts and dedication. He also thanked universities and cultural entities for their nominations, and acknowledged the hard work put forth by the nominees this year.
The Board of Trustees announced withholding four awards this year; Literary and Art Criticism, Young Author, Contribution to the Development of Nations and Children's Literature, as nominations in these categories did not meet the Award's standards for winning.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award's first edition was in 2007, and was intended to promote scholarship and creativity in Arab culture. It carries cash prizes totaling AED7 million - with AED750,000 per winner in all eight categories, and 1 million dirhams for the winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year. The winners also receive a certificate of merit and a Gold Medal. The Awards Presentation Ceremony will take place in Abu Dhabi in May 2015 during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
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