SZBA to collaborate with SOAS UoL to boost cultural dialogue

The online events, which will take place on 28 April, 12 and 31 May, and 14 June, 2022, will be moderated by Wen-chin Ouyang, Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature at SOAS University of London, and feature a group of SZBA winners and shortlisted nominees, as well as experts in writing, publishing, and translation.

The sessions will discuss the role that translation plays in driving dialogue in literary and creative fields, and examine the presence of Arabic literature in Western culture, exploring ways to spread Arab culture on a wider scale. They will also shed light on the importance of presenting thought-provoking literary and creative works in the field of children’s literature, and explore ways to overcome obstacles to accessing and publishing research material.

The collaboration with SOAS is the latest in a series of partnerships established by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, with esteemed cultural and academic institutions, which promote the award internationally and enhance its reputation with intellectuals, academics, and writers around the world.

Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Secretary-General of SZBA and Chairman of ALC, said, "The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is proud to partner with SOAS, a prestigious academic institution that has made tremendous efforts to highlight the unique and rich culture of the Arab region and translate its most creative literary works into various living languages. These webinars will address issues and topics of shared concern to our organisations, covering areas such as translation, intellectual property rights, and the importance of producing thought-provoking and relevant content for younger generations. It is our hope that the sessions will drive greater intercultural dialogue, setting the stage for more understanding and openness towards other cultures, while celebrating the traits that set them apart."

Prof. Wen-chin Ouyang is Professor of Arabic and Comparative Literature at SOAS, and a member of the SOAS Centre for Cultural, Literary and Postcolonial Studies. She also serves as a scientific committee member at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. She was shortlisted for the 2014 edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in Arab Culture in Other Languages category, for her book Poetics of Love in the Arabic Novel: Nation-State, Modernity and Tradition, which offers studies in contemporary Arabic literature and was published by Edinburgh University Press in 2013.