The coronavirus pandemic has been by far the biggest talking point in the news and in everyday conversation. Yet, even in the midst of a global outbreak, there is space for hope and good news.
Earlier in the week, Algeria made literary history when Abdelouahab Aissaoui became the first novelist from that country to win the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
Aissaoui's award, for his book The Spartan Court, is a moment that deserves to be cherished and celebrated. But with the prize-giving ceremony held digitally, its prospective attendees absent, Aissaoui's big win, unfortunately, slipped under the radar.
The Spartan Court is a historical novel set in 18th-century Algiers, where a diverse set of characters recount stories of courage and resistance against their French colonisers. Assaoui's portrayal of resilience in times of strife resonates powerfully with the situation we currently find ourselves in, as the whole world battles an invisible enemy.
At a time when humanity is faced with great adversity, compounded by a sense of loneliness that is a natural byproduct of self-isolation, the unifying power of literature - and more generally, culture - truly shines through. Reading books, whether on a digital device or on paper, connects us in a time of physical as well as social distancing, and reminds us of our shared humanity. More broadly, works of art, including cinema, literature and other cultural projects, provide much-needed escapism, pushing the realms of our imagination beyond the confines of our homes. They allow the mind to travel to distant places and visit long-lost times, touching the hearts and minds of art and literature enthusiasts.
The pandemic has taken its toll on the global economy, with millions of workers having faced salary cuts, or worse, been made redundant. And in times of financial difficulty, IPAF and other literary awards provide much-needed recognition and monetary relief to writers and artists. The IPAF prize is sponsored by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, which offers generous awards to talented writers. The winner, for instance, receives a cash prize of $50,000 (Dh183,600). The winning book is translated into English, helping to launch Arabic literary gems onto the world stage. Earlier this month, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, another prestigious literary event, announced nine winning authors for 2020. Winners of the nine categories, from different parts of the world, each received a cash prize of $200,000.
Support for the arts, especially in the Arab world where such initiatives are rare, is crucial so that creatives, who have enriched our lives and expanded our horizons, can continue to thrive.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
SPECS
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
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Bharatanatyam
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Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
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The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
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Favourite author: Malcom Gladwell
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MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
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England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
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Spain
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Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
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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
