By Samar Al-Harthi
SHARJAH — Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), presented awards to the winners of the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) Awards and the 15th edition of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature.
The SIBF awards span various categories, including the Sharjah Award For An Emirati Book in four categories, the Best Emirati Novel, Best Emirati Academic Book, Best Emirati Creative Literature Book, Best Emirati First Novel Book Award; Sharjah Award for the Best Arabic Novel; Sharjah Award For The Best International Book in two categories, Best International Fiction Book, Best International Non-Fiction Book; and the Sharjah Publisher Recognition Award in three categories, Best Local Publisher, Best Arab Publisher, and Best International Publisher.
The award ceremony was attended by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, along with prominent authors, intellectuals, and media figures.
In the 2023 edition of the awards, distinguished literary works were recognized, including 'Happened in Sebeya' by Dr. Suad Al-Araimi for the Best Emirati Novel. The Best Emirati Academic Book was awarded to 'Woman in Emirati Folklore: A Cultural Reading of Popular Discourse' by Dr. Aisha Ahmed Al Ghais. The poetry collection 'Al-Ghaseq' by Najat Al-Zaheri won the title of Best Emirati Creative Literature Book, and the Best Emirati First Novel Book Award was presented to 'Mazofa Samma' by Mona Abdulqadir Al-Ali.
In the category of Best Arabic Novel, the SIBF Award went to 'Bab Al-Wadi' by Ahmed Tayyebawi. The Best International Fiction Book was awarded to 'An Andalus Adventure' by Saiyada Jalali, and 'Unbounded - A Memoir' by Huda Al-Ghusn earned the distinction of Best International Non-Fiction Book.
The award for Best Local Publisher went to Dar Malamih; Al Dar Al Masriah Al Lubnaniah from Egypt was acknowledged as the Best Arab Publisher, and OM Books International from India clinched the title of Best International Publisher.
Khoula Al Mujaini, General Coordinator of SIBF, highlighted the awards as a platform that publishers and authors worldwide eagerly participate in. She emphasized the inspiration the awards provide for creating impactful content that enriches readers' lives.
Sheikha Bodour also honored the winners of the 15th edition of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, organized by the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY) and sponsored by Etisalat by e&.
'Feelings, Feelings!' by Fatimah Al Sadoun and illustrated by Iman Abdul Hamid won in the Early Reader category, and 'An Elephant on My Finger,' written and illustrated by Abdullah Al Sharhan, was honored in the Picture Book category.
In the Chapter Book category, 'Destroying the World in 46 Seconds' by Mays Dagher and Mohammed Al Hamawi received the honor. 'Mariam's Earring' by Rania Bedda won in the Young Adult Book category, while 'Water's Singing' by Mohanned Al Akouse was honored in the Poetry category.
Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAEBBY, expressed gratitude to Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi for launching the award and thanked "Etisalat by e&" for supporting cultural initiatives. She highlighted the international expansion of the award's scope, thanks to SBA's active engagement in cultural events worldwide.
