Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, honoured the winners of the 19th Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) in a special ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
According to Emirates News Agency, the event was attended by several notable figures, including Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and Chancellor of UAE University; Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi; and Dr Ali bin Tamim, Secretary General of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented awards to winners in various categories. Lebanese/French author Hoda Barakat was honoured in the Literature category, while Moroccan writer Latifa Labsir received the award for Children's Literature. Italian translator Marco Di Branco was recognized in the Translation category, and researcher Dr Said Laouadi from Morocco was awarded in Literary and Art Criticism.
The ceremony also acknowledged Emirati Prof Dr Mohammed Bechari in the Contribution to the Development of Nations category, UK researcher Andrew Peacock in Arab Culture in Other Languages, and researcher Rasheed Alkhayoun from Iraq/UK in Editing of Arabic Manuscripts.
Additionally, H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami as the Cultural Personality of the Year, recognizing his significant literary contributions and the global influence of his works.
The award ceremony coincided with the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2025), which began on 26 April and is set to continue until 5 May 2025. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), this edition of the SZBA received more than 4,000 submissions from 75 countries, including first-time participants from Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali.
These submissions highlight the award's esteemed status in the international cultural arena, underscoring its role in establishing the UAE as a global intellectual and cultural hub, attracting creative thinkers and researchers worldwide.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, since its inception in 2006, has become a leading literary and cultural prize in the Arab world. It celebrates the achievements of thinkers and creators in Arabic and other languages, honouring authors who contribute significantly to Arab culture across various fields.
The Cultural Personality of the Year award includes a gold medal, a certificate of appreciation, and a prize of AED1 million. Other category winners receive AED750,000, a gold medal, and a certificate of appreciation, aiming to bolster intellectual and creative pursuits and promote cultural sustainability in the Arab region and beyond.