Sharjah 24: Amidst the backdrop of the 54th Cairo International Book Fair, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) participated in a panel discussion on the role of awards in advancing the translation movement and fostering cross-cultural communication. Titled "The Role of Awards in Supporting Translation," the session was part of the 2nd edition of the Arabic Translation Conference, organised by the National Center for Translation.
The discussion centred on the most influential Arab awards and their benefits, with panellists sharing their experiences and insights on how publishers and translators can leverage these awards to further support the cultural landscape. The speakers also proposed recommendations to strengthen the Arab translation movement.
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of the Publishing Services Department at the SBA, spoke about the ongoing efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to advance the global translation movement and build bridges of communication between the Arab world and other cultures. Al Hassani spotlighted the Sharjah Award for Translation (Turjuman), a AED 1.4 million ($381,000) prize that recognizes excellence in the translation of both foreign and Arabic content. The award serves as a tribute to the legacy of Arab thought leaders and their influence on the literary, intellectual, and cultural spheres. The translator receives AED 100,000, while the remaining AED 1.3 million is allocated to publishers.
Al Hassani also highlighted the Sharjah Rights Connection Award, which supports rights professionals and expands opportunities for industry growth. The award is presented in two categories, one for individual professionals and another for independent professionals or those working with specialised agencies.
In conclusion, Al Hassani called on publishers at the Cairo International Book Fair to participate in Sharjah's various awards aimed at promoting Arabic content, noting that registration for the Turjuman Award is open to international and Arabic publishing houses. The session, moderated by Sharif Baker, featured notable speakers such as Karma Sami, Director of the National Center for Translation; Saeed Hamdan, representative of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award; Suzan Kenawy, Marketing Manager at the American University in Cairo and representative of the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature; and Brazilian publisher Laura Di Pietro.
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