Riyadh, November 15 (QNA) - A delegation from the Doha-based Arab Book Award met with officials from several Saudi cultural, media, and academic institutions to explore ways to strengthen cooperation between the award and these organizations.
According to a statement issued by the award on Saturday, the delegation, headed by the award's Media Advisor, Dr. Hanan Al Fayyad, conducted a tour in Saudi Arabia to introduce the award. During the visit, they met with officials from the Ministry of Culture and the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Authority to discuss mechanisms for enhancing collaboration between Saudi institutions and the award, linking it to cultural bodies and reaching the widest possible audience of authors and publishers.
Saudi Ministry of Culture officials invited the delegation to participate in the Jeddah International Book Fair and attend the International Philosophy Conference scheduled for December, aiming to promote cultural and knowledge exchange between both sides.
The delegation also visited King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSAA), where they met with Deputy Secretary-General of the Academy, Dr. Ibrahim Abanmi, who praised the award's role in fostering scientific and literary activity and encouraging researchers' creativity. The visit included an introductory seminar at King Saud University attended by faculty members of the College of Arts and the Arabic Language Department, coinciding with the university celebrating the win of Abdulaziz Al Manea Chair at the second edition of the Arab Book Award.
The Arab Book Award delegation also met with a number of Saudi and Arab intellectuals and writers at the Golden Pen Diwaniya, where proposals were presented to develop the award's scope, including introducing new categories such as digital books and children's literature, alongside discussions on modern evaluation standards.
The delegation visited King Abdulaziz Foundation, reviewing its efforts to document Arab history and heritage and facilitate researchers' access to sources and manuscripts.
Media Advisor for the Arab Book Award, Dr. Hanan Al Fayayd, stated that the visit to Saudi cultural and academic institutions aimed to enhance cooperation, noting that Saudi Arabia is a key platform for promoting the award due to its strong presence in global awards, including the King Faisal International Prize and the King Salman Global Award for the Arabic Language.
Launched by the State of Qatar in March 2024, the Arab Book Award seeks to honor Arab and non-Arab authors and researchers who contribute to enriching the Arab cultural scene, enhancing the status of the Arabic book, and delivering its message to the widest audience of intellectuals across the Arab world. The award carries a total value of USD 1 million and includes two categories: "Individual Book" and "Achievement." (QNA)