Sheikh Zayed Book Award Reveals Longlists for ‘Contribution to the Development of Nations’ and ‘Literary and Art Criticism’ Categories

25 Nov, 2021

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has revealed the longlisted titles in the ‘Contribution to the Development of Nations’ and ‘Literary and Art Criticism’ categories for the 16th edition of the Awards.

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) jury is currently in the evaluation phase to draw up longlists of titles across the various categories. The ‘Contribution to the Development of Nations’ category received 290 submissions this year, an increase of 11% from the 262 applications last year. Meanwhile, ‘Literary and Art Criticism’ received 273 entries this year, marking a considerable growth of 37% compared to last year’s 199 submissions.

Seven titles made it onto the longlist for the ‘Contribution to the Development of Nations’ category, submitted from six Arab countries: Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. The works on the longlist are:

• ‘Mo’jam Dar al Sikka fi Al Aalam al Islami al Waseet’ (Dar al Sikka Dictionary in the Middle Islamic World), by Dr Mohamed Alghodhbane from Tunisia, published by the GLD Institution in 2021.
• ‘Maseer al Thaqafa wal Turath al Thaqafi fi Aasr al Hadatha al Sa’ila’ (The Fate of Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Era of Liquid Modernity), by Egyptian author Sayed Fares, published by Dar Roueya Publishing & Distribution in 2021.
• ‘Ikhaa’ al Adyan: Muhawala li Binaa’ Ikhaa’ Insani Raseedoh al Rooh wal Irfan, Dirasa fi al Osool al Mo’assisa fi al Turath al Islami’ (Brotherhood of Religions: Attempt to Establish a Spiritual Human Brotherhood, a Study in Founding Principles of Islamic Heritage), by Syrian author Mohamad Habach, issued by Mominoun Without Borders Publishing & Distribution in 2021.
• ‘Al Deen wal Karama al Insanya’ (Religion and Human Dignity), by Dr Abd Aljabbar Alrefae from Iraq, published by Philosophy of Religion Study Centre with Dar Al Tanweer Printing & Publishing in 2021.

• ‘Al Nahda al Moaallaka’ (Renaissance on Hold), by Moroccan writer Mohammed Nouraldin Affaya, issued by Le Centre Culturel du Livre in 2020.
• ‘Falsafat al Akhariya: Al Akhar Bayn Sartre wa Levinas wa Bahjat al Diyafa’ (Philosophy of ‘Otherism’: The Other between Sartre and Levinas and the Joy of Hospitality), by Saudi writer Abdullah Almutairi, published by Madarek Publishing House in 2021.
• ‘Fi Istishkal al Yawm al Falsafi: Ta’ammulat fi al Falsafa al Thanya Min Ajl I’aadat al Ta’asees’ (In Today's Problematic Philosophical Age: Reflections on the Second Philosophical Age for Re-establishment), by Tunisian author Mohamed Abu Hashem Mahjoub, issued by Kalima Publishing in 2021.

The longlist for the ‘Literary and Art Criticism’ category includes 11 titles from seven countries: Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and the UAE. The longlisted titles are:

• ‘Fitnat al Mutwara: Bahth fi Juthoor al Fi’l al Fanni’ (The Hidden Temptation: A Study into the Roots of the Artistic Work), by Dr Moustafa Eissa from Egypt, issued by Battana Publishing in 2021.
• ‘Al Sarid wa Taw’am al Rooh: Min al Tamtheel ila al Istinaa’ (The Narrator and the Soulmate: From Acting to Faking), by the Moroccan writer M'hamed Aldahi, issued by Le Centre Culturel du Livre in 2021.
• ‘Iqa’at al Ibdaa fi al Tabee’aa wal Fann’ (Rhythms of Creativity in Nature and Art), by Syrian author Kamal Alkontar, issued by the Syrian General Authority for Books in 2019.
• ‘Al Sard al Adabi min al Tajreebi ila al Tarabuti’ (Literary Prose: From Experimental to Associative), by Dr Zhour Gourram from Morocco, issued by Sharjah Department of Culture in 2021.
• ‘Al Naqd al Hadari li Khitab ma Baad al Colonialiya: Namathij min al Seera al Thatiya wa Qadaya al Zunuja wal Hawiya’ (Cultural Criticism of the Post-colonial Narrative: Examples of Biographies and Issues of Black and Other Identities), by Egyptian writer Abdelfattah Ahmed Youssef, issued by Al Rawafed Culture and Nadim Edition in 2021.
• ‘Ba’eeda bi Riqat Aala al Mirsal: Ashaar al Hob Aind Nisaa’ al Badu’ (Softly Far from the Messenger, Love Poems by Bedouin Women), by Egyptian writer Miral Altahawy, issued by Al Mahrousa Center for Publishing, Press Services, and Information in 2020.
• ‘Al Rawasib al Ifreeqiya fi al Thaqafa al Shaabiya al Tunisiya’ (African Influences in Tunisian Culture), by Dr Amine Al Zawari from Tunisia, issued by Librairie Alaeddine in 2019.
• ‘Ma Baad al Ughniya’ (After the Song), by Saudi writer Ahmed Alwasel, issued by Kalimat Group with Dar Rewayat in 2021.

• ‘Al Jamalyia wal Aala’iq: Al Talaqi – al Ta’weel – al Tanass - al Naqd al Thaqafi – al Fikr al Murakkab, Tahafut al Manhaj wa Nisbiyat al Maqarrat’ (Beauty and the Relationship of Receiving – Interpretation – Similarity – Cultural Criticism – Complex Thought – Method Incoherence and Relativity of Comparisons), by Algerian writer Aissani Belkacem, issued by Difaf Publishing, El-lkhtilef and Dar Elamane in 2019.
• ‘Al Shi’ir al Emarati fi Daw’ al Naqd al Adabi al Bee’i’ (Emirati Poetry in Light of Literary Eco-criticism), by Dr Aysha Juma Alshamsi from the UAE, issued by Sharjah Department of Culture in 2021.
• ‘Nahwa al Shawari’: Fi Raheel al Nahw ila al Shawari’’ (The Role of Street Grammar in Influencing Proper Grammar), By Dr Taoufik Alaloui from Tunisia, issued by Med Ali Editions in 2021.

The SZBA will soon be announcing the longlisted entries for the remaining categories in the 2021/22 edition.

The SZBA honours the outstanding achievements of innovators and thinkers in literature, the arts, and humanities in Arabic and other languages. It aims to advance Arabic literature and culture, providing new opportunities for Arabic-language writers. Authors writing about Arab culture and civilisation in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Russian also are recognised by the Awards.