Sheikh Zayed Book Award receives 500 nominations to date

“Arabic Culture in Other Languages” attracts the attention of German Authors The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, one of the world's most prestigious and well-funded prizes, has received a record number of nominations to date for its seventh session of 2012 / 2013 since its call for nominations last April. The Award has received a considerable 500 entries that met the General rules. “Arabic Culture in other Languages” -the Award’s newly devised category- has attracted attention from academics and cultural researchers around the world,  specially from Germany, as the Award compiled 30 nominations in German, in addition to a number of other works in English and Chinese. Commenting on the results, Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, the Secretary General of Sheikh Zayed Book Award said: "we think that such contributions will heat up the race towards winning the Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s various categories for the seventh cycle”. Adullah Majed Al- Ali, Award manager commented “We hope that this massive flow of nominations continue until the closing date, we encourage reserachers and Orientalist to apply" It is noted that the “Arabic Culture in other Languages” is a new category devised prior to the launch of the Award’s 7th session, to honor all written works in languages other than Arabic, about the Arabic civilization and culture, in the fields of humanities, fine arts, and literature throughout its historical eras. Applicants are encouraged to send their nominations to the Award’s executive office until end of September 2012. Applications can be collected from the Administrative Offices of the Award or downloaded online from the Award’s website www.zayedaward.ae. Once completed and signed, the application forms should be submitted to the Sheikh Zayed Book Award along with the Candidate's Resume, Passport copy, Personal photo, and five copies of the nominated work in a book format. Notes to the Editor The foundation of the Award was laid out in memory of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of UAE for more than 30 years, and his pioneering role in national unity and the country’s development. It is presented every year to outstanding Arab writers, intellectuals, publishers as well as young talents whose writings and translations of humanities have scholarly and objectively enriched Arab cultural, literary and social life. The Sheikh Zayed Book award is an independent cultural award administered by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, with a total monetary value of seven million dirhams. Objectives Honor intellectuals, researchers, and writers, who have made significant contributions in literature, social sciences and the culture and knowledge of modern age Honor prominent figures who have outstanding achievements at a regional and international level, and informing readers about them in the context of creativity and innovative thought Appreciate the immense cultural role of translators who enrich culture, promote dialogue between civilizations, and bring nations together. Encourage creativity of youth, and motivate them to research, and create a spirit of positive competition in this vital sector that represents the nation's present and future. Honor institutions, commissions, research centers, Arab and international publishing houses that represent an inventive cultural project that caters for creativity, and promote the human values ??of dialogue and tolerance. Encourage children and adolescent's literature, which seeks to develop this important segment of society, and their aesthetic taste, and constructs their cultural identity on the foundation of creative interaction between the past and present. Categories The award recognizes cultural achievement across one of the broadest and most diverse areas of any cultural awards internationally,   Contribution to the Development of Nations Consists of books in the fields of economics, sociology, management, politics, law and theology that contribute to a nation's advancement, whether theoretic review or documenting practice. Children’s Literature [including adolescents books]    Covers literary, scientific and cultural books addressing various children’s groups and adolescents, whether it is fictional stories or simplified factual historical and scientific narratives, put in an artistic layout. Young Author Recognizes works in science, literature, culture, fine arts and humanities, in addition to scientific theses that are published, produced by authors younger than 40 years Translation Recognizes translated works, either to or from Arabic, provided it maintains loyalty to original source, linguistic accuracy, and maintaining the context. Literature Represents works across various categories of literature including poetry, short stories, novels, biographies, theatrical plays and other types of arts Literary and Art Criticism Covers works of criticism in the fields of art, cinema, music, theatrical plays, studies of image, architecture, sculpture, historical ruins, folkloric arts, and history of literature and theories. Arabic Culture in non-Arab language Recognizes written works produced in languages other than the Arabic, tackling  the Arab civilization and culture, including humanities, fine arts, literature (novels, shorts stories, poems) and history. Publishing and Technology Includes publishers, distributors, research institutions and cultural institutions, which promote culture through various forms of digital, visual, audio processes. Cultural Personality of the Year (Open to individuals and organizations) Honors a prominent Arab or international figure (or organization) who has contributed to the advancement of the Arabic culture, embodies through his/her work tolerance and promotes peaceful coexistence. Nomination and Entry Rules Candidates are allowed to be nominated for one category per award cycle. Nominations are accepted from the following entities: the applicant himself / herself Cultural institutions, literary unions, and universities Three prominent literary and cultural figures, to nominate one candidate jointly However, the “Cultural personality of the year” Category nominations should be filled out and sent by any of the following groups: Three prominent figures in the cultural world Academic institutions Literary or research entities General terms The nominated work should have contributed to the development of Arabic culture. The nominated work shouldn’t be previously awarded by an international/ prominent Prize. The work must be published in a book format. Works, nominated for the Award of the publishing and distribution, can be in digital format. The work should have been published in the last two years. The nominations must be written in Arabic, except for books nominated in two categories;  the Translation Award and the Arabic Culture in non-Arab language Award. The work should project high standards of authenticity and creativity Nomination is not accepted for more than one award each year. Re-nomination for the same work is accepted if time condition is still valid. However, a new application form should be filled out and new copies of the work submitted. The work must abide by the terms listed in the application form. The award of any category may be detained or withdrawn at the discretion of the Scientific Committee . The committee is allowed to take any decision it sees fit . Nominees are not entitled to object  to the decisions of the Advisory Committee of the award. Nomination process Choose the category of the award you want to apply to, as per the subject of the nominated book Get the application form from the website of the Award (zayedaward.ae) or from the Award’s Executive Office Fill the application form [online or print], sign it and send it to Award's Executive Office [in Abu Dhabi] including the following documents: Five copies of the nominated book Candidate's Resume. A valid Passport copy. Personal photo For the translation category, candidates must send five copies of their book and five copies of the translated work Selection and Judging Process The award is supervised by a Board of Trustees and an Scientific Committee that manage a rigorous award selection process Every year, the Scientific Committee appoints a group of distinguished regional and international literary figures [judges] who serve on nine separate selection committees, one for each award category. There are 3 – 5 selection committee members [judges] per category, each of whom remain anonymous to maintain the independence and integrity of the selection process Each committee reviews all nominated works and submits its selections to the Scientific Committee. Scientific Committee reviews and approves the panel’s suggestions, which are then officially endorsed by Board of Trustees, presided over by Sheikh Zayed Bin Tahnoon Al Nayan, president of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. The winners are announced ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, culminating in a prestigious tribute ceremony on during March of every year.