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Abu Dhabi, January 24, 2012 – Marking the first time the annual award publishes its shortlist of the selected="true" candidates, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award announced today, its shortlist of book titles for two of its categories; “Children’s Literature” and “Literature”. This announcement will be followed over the coming weeks with the rest of the award’s nine categories of which the total monetary prize equates to seven million UAE dirhams.

Six books have been short-listed under the two categories, selected="true" by the Award’s Scientific Committee against stringent criteria and rigorous review of the judges panel reports. The “Literature” titles included two novels; “The Tea of the Bride” by Maysaloon Hadi from Iraq (publishing by Dar Shorooq) and “Yahya” by Samiha Ali Khrais from Jordan (publishing by Dar Thaqafa), in addition to one study by Abderrahim Ouhabi from Morocco about “Arabic Reading” (publishing by Modern Book World publishing).

Meanwhile, The books under “Children's Literature” [including adolescents books] included “Hanji Banji” by Ahmad Suleiman from Egypt (published by Al-Dar Al-Masriah al-Lubnaniah); “Da'wa al-Haywan dhid al Insan Ind Malik al-Jan” (Animals' Case Against Humans) by Huda al-Shawwa Qaddoumi from Kuwait (published by Dar al-Saqi); and “The Boy Who Saw the Color of Air” by Abdo Wazen from Lebanon (published by Arab Scientific Publishers).

The full list of winners is scheduled for announcement during a press conference in  February 2012, and the Award’s Presentation Ceremony, celebrating the winning achievements, will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions on 29^th March next year.     

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Notes to the Editor

 the award was established in memory of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who served as the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years

 The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is an independent cultural award established under the patronage and support of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage

 one of the missions of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is to foster greater scholarship and creativity by recognizing and rewarding significant cultural achievements to Arabic culture

 Sheikh Zayed Book Award rewards innovators and thinkers in areas of knowledge, arts and humanities. Winners are identified through stringent scientific and objective principles to evaluate the merits of their creative work.

Categories of the Award

The award recognizes cultural achievement across one of the broadest and most diverse areas of any cultural awards internationally, including:

1. Contribution to the Development of the Nation: Consists of works in the fields of economics, sociology, management, politics, law and theology that contribute to the country’s advancement.

2. Children’s Literature: Covers literary and cultural works addressing various children’s groups

3. Young Author: Recognizes scientific, literary or cultural works produced by authors younger than 40 years

4. Translation: Includes translated works, either to or from Arabic

5. Literature: Represents works across various categories of literature including poetry,    stories, novels and plays, research addressing literary theories, creative writings or works of criticism

6. Fine Arts: Covers books about various forms of art such as music, cinema, architecture, plastic art, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, photography and digital arts

7. Best Technology in the Field of Culture: Recognizes written or digital works and researches which promote the Arabic language.

8. Publishing and Distribution: Includes publishers, distributors and research institutions which produce a diverse range of texts printed to the highest standard

9. Cultural Personality of the Year: Honors a prominent Arab or international figure who has contributed to the advancement of the Arabic culture, embodies through his/her work tolerance and promotes peaceful coexistence