The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is a champion of diversity, according to this year's Culture Personality of the Year, Abdullah Al Ghathami.
The Saudi literary critic made the comments during Monday’s prize-winning ceremony at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Al Gathami, known for scholarly works on Arabic literature with notable books Al-Khatee’a wal Takfeer (Sin and Atonement) and Al Naqed Al Thaqafi fee Qera’at Al Ansaq Al Thaqafiya (Cultural Criticism and the Reading of Arab Cultural Discourses) made the remarks in his acceptance speech where he praised the breadth of the categories, ranging from literary fiction and nonfiction to children's literature and English to Arabic translation.
“This is what makes the UAE a beacon for tolerance,” he said.
“It is by appreciating differences that we can create harmony and we can see how we are all gathered here today, writers from different fields to celebrate this award, as an example of that harmony.”
Ali bin Tamim, chairman of the Arabic Language Centre and the secretary of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, said the annual competition will continue to fulfil the mandate set by the UAE leadership.
“We in the UAE consider science and culture an integral part of our development,” he said.
“It is about opening minds without denying our values and heritage.”
Emirati author and poet Maisoon Saqer was another major winner as she scooped the Literature category for her novel Maq’ha Riche, Ain Ala Massr (Eye on Egypt: Cafe Riche).
The novel revolves around the famous Cafe Riche, a landmark in Downtown Cairo that was frequented by the likes of Naguib Mahfouz and was the venue for several historical events.
Saqer will discuss her award-winning book in a session at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Thursday.
Other Sheikh Zayed Book Award winners include literary figures, intellectuals and translations, along with Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Syrian writer Maria Daadoush won in the Children’s Literature category for her story Loghz al Kora al Zujajiya (The Mystery of the Glass Ball).
The work tells the story of a boy aged 12 who embarks on a series of exciting adventures while accompanying his grandfather on a train ride in the desert.
It explores children’s obsession with video games, while also addressing the effects of pollution.
In The Arab Culture in Other Languages category, American-Iraqi author Muhsin J Al-Musawi won for his book The Arabian Nights in Contemporary World Cultures: Global Commodification, Translation, and the Culture Industry.
The academic work discusses the profound influences the tales of One Thousand and One Nights have had on modern-day global cultures.
The award for the Publishing and Technology category went to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, also known as The Great Library of Alexandria, for a cultural legacy.
The grand venue was inaugurated in 2002 and contains millions of books in several languages, as well as a digital archive.
With a Dh7 million ($1.9m) prize purse, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is one of the richest literary awards in the world.
The Culture Personality of the Year receives Dh1m, while Dh750,000 is granted to winners of all other categories. A gold medal bearing the Sheikh Zayed Book Award emblem and a certificate of merit is also part of the prize.
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
