Press Release: Prizes and Awards
World's Biggest Children's Book Prize Launched At BEA
Posted at 7:11AM Monday 01 Jun 2009
A contingent from the Arab Forum for Children's Book Publishers will attend BEA this week, to promote the brand new Etisalat Prize for Arabic Children's Literature. In a world where arts and literature funding are the first to be cut due to the economic downturn this prize, backed by the Ruler of Sharjah and sponsored by the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, Etisalat, will be a sign of Sharjah's dedication to promoting literacy and the role that books play at the heart of cultural and social development.In a time of globalisation, digital revolution and the homogenisation of children's entertainment, the Prize has been designed to preserve Arab children's culture in the third millennium. With one million dirhams in prize money – approximately $275,000 USD - this award is designed to create real investment in the children's book industry for the region and will be awarded to a winning publishing house rather than an individual. The 2009 winner will be announced at the Sharjah World Book Fair in November later this year. Entries are open to any publisher of Arabic children's books, and submissions are invited before the deadline of 31st August 2009. This significant initiative is spearheaded by H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Publishing whose driving passion is to develop the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and moral needs of children, and who comments, 'We believe in the rights of children to have their own arts and literature, and we consider it a basic human need for cultural and social development. It is our pleasure to work with Etisalat to bridge the gap between writers and publishers and to create the opportunity for Arabic publishers to compete in the international children's publishing arena.' Literacy initiatives across the Arab states are paying dividends according to the latest UNESCO figures: children's literacy is now measured at 86.7% across the Arabic speaking world with Sharjah as part of the UAE excelling at 97.7%. Adult literacy is also improving with an evaluation of 72.5% literate adults across the Arab States. These impressive figures are set against modest Arabic originated publishing programmes. The Arab Forum for Children's Book Publishers Etisalat Award is designed to encourage far greater engagement between Arab publishers, their local literary talent and the Arab readers of tomorrow. The launch of this prize and the associated forum are part of the efforts that aim to fulfil the vision of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has stressed the importance of developing and introducing Arabic culture and heritage to children through literature. It is the belief of all those involved with this prize that children's literature is the most significant tool available for preserving national identity, tradition, culture and heritage, and is the ultimate resource to bridge the gap between different cultures and civilizations. In addition to sponsoring the Prize for Arabic Children's Literature, Etisalat has supported the Arab Forum for Children's Book Publishers' participation at Book Expo America (BEA) 2009. A 225-book space pavilion will showcase Arabic children's literature and the work of five Arab illustrators. A symposium debating the challenges of copyright processes will take place with speakers including H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qassimi, Dr. Amira Abu Al Majid and Dr. Najlaa Bashour. At the end of the Expo, all the books exhibited at BEA will be donated by the Forum, via BEA management to one of the Arab communities in the USA.
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