Winners of the 2018 Sheikh Zayed Book Awards. Image: Hannah Johnson
NEW YORK—On July 11th at 3:30pm, in the Trustees Room at the New York Public Library, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, Publishing Perspectives, and the Frankfurt Book Fair New York, will host a discussion and celebration of Arabic literature. The event will feature remarks by:
- Juergen Boos, CEO, Frankfurter Buchmesse
- H. E. Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General, The United Arab Emirates in New York
- Abdullah Majed Al-Ali, Executive Director of the National Library Sector, DCT Abu Dhabi
“At the Frankfurter Buchmesse, we have always supported furthering the translation of stories in order to build a greater connection to one another,” said Boos. “I am pleased to be a part of this event which highlights Arabic literature and those stories which can find their place with American readers.”
These remarks will be followed by an in-depth conversation between Chip Rossetti, Executive Editor, Library of Arabic Literature, NYU Press, and John Siciliano, Executive Editor, Penguin Classics on the importance of cultural dialogue and sharing stories in translation from the points of view of a translator and an editor.
“Writing coming out of the Arab world today—both fiction and nonfiction—reflects the imaginations, aspirations, and perspectives of a large swathe of humanity,” said Rosetti. “Today, the voices that come to us through Arabic literature are more vital and necessary than ever.”
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award honors the outstanding achievements of innovators and thinkers in literature, the arts and humanities in Arabic and other languages. (Read about the 2018 winners here.) Launched in 2007 and covering nine categories, the award promotes creativity, advances Arabic literature and culture, and provides new opportunities for Arabic-language writers.
As part of its ongoing mission to promote Arabic literature internationally, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has also launched a translation funding initiative this year. More information about this funding will be available during the event on July 11.
“The Sheikh Zayed Book Award aims to promote Arab cultural achievements internationally as well strengthening dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures,” said Mouza Al Shamsi, Director of Sheikh Zayed Book Award. “Through this fund, we encourage publishers to translate our winning titles into the major languages; English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. It is an effort to promote the best works published in the Arab world, in the native languages of avid readers around the world.”
Seminar on Arabic Literature in Translation
When:
3:30-5:00 p.m., with reception to follow
Wednesday, July 11
Where:
Trustees Room at the New York Public Library
476 5th Ave. (at 42nd St.), New York, NY
Speakers:
Chip Rossetti, Executive Editor, Library of Arabic Literature, NYU Press
John Siciliano, Executive Editor, Penguin Classics
Additional remarks:
H.E. Majid Al-Suwaidi, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in New York
Juergen Boos, CEO, Frankfurter Buchmesse
Abdullah Majed Al-Ali, Executive Director of the National Library Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi