Global InformationSheikh Zayed Book Award information
| Sheikh Zayed Book Award | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | Arab writers, intellectuals, publishers |
| Date | annual |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| First awarded | 2007 |
| Website | www |
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is a literary award begun in the UAE.[1] It is presented yearly to "Arab 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."[2] The first award was in 2007. The total value of the prizes is Dhs. 7,000,000 making it one of the richest literary awards in the world.
Often referred to “the Arab World’s Nobel Prize”,[3] the Award presents a range of annual prizes, such as ‘Literature’, ‘Translation’, ‘Arabic Culture in Other Languages’, and ‘Cultural Personality of the Year’.
The "Cultural Person of the Year" is the premier category which honours a prominent Arab or international figure (or organisation) who has contributed to the advancement of Arabic culture. It bestows an award of one million Dirhams (around $300,000) while the other categories receive around $200,000 each.[4]
Beginning with 2013 awards, a new category was added called "Arabic Culture in Other Languages", "to honor best written works in Chinese, German and English languages on the subject of the Arabic civilization and culture including novels, short stories, poems, biographies, history and arts."[5] In addition a number of other categories were merged, created or redefined.[6][7]
In 2018, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award launched a translation grant, to encourage the translation of Arabic literature into other languages.[8] The grant is open year-round to publishers and translators around the world to publish shortlisted or award-winning literary works from the Award’s Literature and Young Author prize categories.
In 2021, German philosopher Jürgen Habermas declined his Zayed Book Award, citing the UAE's political system (a repressive non-democracy).[9][10] A media debate ensued with some German commentators arguing that he should not have renounced the award.[11][12]
The award was established in memory of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the principal architect of United Arab Emirates, the authoritarian ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years (1971–2004).
- ^ "Sheikh Zayed Book Award announces its 5th Year Winners", 2011 announcement page
- ^ "About" page, Sheikh Zayed Book Award
- ^ Nawotka, Ed. "The Sheikh Zayed Book Award Celebrates 16 Years". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Government founds 1m [pounds sterling] book prize." The Bookseller 2 Mar. 2007: 18. Literature Resource Center. Web. 8 Oct. 2012. GALE|A164104106
- ^ "Literary Prize Recognizes Works Celebrating Arabic Culture in English." Entertainment Close-up 10 May 2012. General OneFile. Web. 8 Oct. 2012.
- ^ "Nominations pour in for sheikh zayed book prize." (2012, Aug 26). The National [Abu Dhabi]. ProQuest document ID 1035160511
- ^ "Sheikh Zayed Book Award Launches Its Revamped Website." Islamic Finance News [Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia] 1 Aug. 2012. Infotrac Newsstand. Web. 8 Oct. 2012.
- ^ "Sheikh Zayed Book Award Opens Translation Funding for All Shortlists". 17 December 2020.
- ^ "German philosopher Habermas rejects UAE's Zayed Book Award". AP NEWS. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ SPIEGEL, Dietmar Pieper, DER (2 May 2021). "Jürgen Habermas und die emiratische Propaganda: Lässt sich der Starphilosoph vereinnahmen?". Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 2 May 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Juergen Boos: "Es wäre ein Anlass zur Auseinandersetzung mit seinem Werk gewesen"".
- ^ "German angst and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award: Habermas, philosopher of communication, rejects dialogue | Qantara.de". 7 May 2021.