The International Prize for Arab Children’s Literature announces its shortlist for the 17th session

Alexandria, October 12 / WAM / The International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, presented by “E&” and organized by the UAE Board on Books for Young People, announced its shortlist for the 17th session, during a press conference hosted by the Library of Alexandria in the presence of a wide range of cultural figures and representatives of media institutions and those concerned with the publishing and book industries.

The list included 25 books distributed into five main categories, with five books in each category. Jordanian publishing houses topped the list with 10 books, followed by Egyptian with 7 books, then Emirati with 4, then Lebanese with 3 books, in addition to a Bahraini publishing house with one book.

Since its launch in 2009, the award has been able to consolidate its position as a cultural reference in the field of books for children and young people, driven by the vision of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, founder and Honorary President of the UAE Council on Books for Young People.

The award received 407 works from 22 countries, submitted by 280 authors, 263 illustrators, and 116 publishers, which reflects the growing confidence in it in the Arab world and confirms the development of the children’s book industry in the Arab world.

The Bibliotheca Alexandria’s choice to reveal the shortlist reflects the international dimension of the award and enhances its presence around the world as a pioneering platform that gives Arab children’s books a broader horizon to communicate with young readers everywhere.

Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Council on Books for Young People, confirmed that the seventeenth session witnessed the highest participation rate since the launch of the award, which indicates the widening circle of interest in Arab children’s literature.

She said: “Today, we celebrate the shortlisted works that represent the pinnacle of creativity directed at children and young people. This moment embodies our belief that the Arabic book directed at children is no longer limited to its local environment, but has become a bridge for human communication and a message of hope for new generations.”

Al-Aqroubi thanked the Library of Alexandria for hosting the press conference and the strategic partner “E&” for its continued support of the award since its inception.

For his part, Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Library of Alexandria, expressed his pride in hosting this cultural event. He said: “The announcement of the shortlist for the International Award for Arabic Children’s Literature in our library is a bright page added to our cultural record and confirms our belief in the importance of children’s literature in shaping collective awareness. Just as the Library of Alexandria has been a beacon of science and knowledge throughout the ages, today it celebrates children and young people and opens windows to imagination and the world for them.”

He stressed that every book directed at children is a humanitarian project that deserves support and celebration, stressing that the partnership with the UAE Board on Books for Young People represents a solid step towards building a brighter cultural future for future generations.

For his part, Mohammed Al Amimi, Acting General Manager – Northern Emirates at E&Emirates, pointed out that holding the conference at the Alexandria Library reflects the international dimension reached by the award. He said: “Our sponsorship of this award reflects our belief that culture and communication are two sides of the same coin with a common goal of connecting minds and hearts. The award contributed to building an integrated literary community of authors, painters and publishers and created a healthy competitive environment.” “I pushed everyone towards excellence.”

It is noteworthy that the names of the winners will be announced and honored during a special ceremony held within the activities of the Sharjah International Book Fair on November 5. The total value of the award is 1.2 million UAE dirhams distributed among the five categories, which strengthens its position as one of the most prominent awards specialized in Arab children’s literature.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter