Abu Dhabi: ‘L’Institut du Monde Arabe’ (IMA) or the Arab World Institute has been chosen the Shaikh Zayed Book Award’s Cultural Personality of the Year.
The honorary award recognises prominent figures and entities for their unique contributions to the advancement of the Arab culture, and for works that portray tolerance and promote peaceful coexistence. The unanimous decision of the Shaikh Zayed Book Award’s Scientific Committee and Board of Trustees came in recognition of the institute’s role — since its establishment in 1980 — in promoting cooperation and cultural exchange between France and the Arab world, especially in terms of contributing to the advancement of the Arabic language and Arab culture in France and Europe, and the mutual cooperation with Arab nations in science and technology.
Making the announcement on Tuesday, Saif Saeed Gobash. undersecretary of the Departrment of Culure and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, and a member of the award’s Board of Trustees, said: The Shaikh Zayed Book Award has grown to be an embodiment of the vision of Abu Dhabi in fostering culture and creativity and promoting communication with the global community. This is reflected in the choice of the Arab World Institute as the most deserving entity to win this year’s title, in light of its leading role in founding the cultural Arab-European dialogue and promoting the cultural exchange between the two nations.”
Commenting on the selection, Dr Ali Bin Tamim, secretary-general of Shaikh Zayed Book Award, said, “The legacy that the Arab World Institute enjoys, and its long list of contributions to the cultural communication between the Arab and European nations, establishes a strong foundation for it to win the title. And as this coincides with the Year of Zayed, we are extremely delighted and honoured to enrol the institute in the award’s hall of fame and wish it all the success in its pursuit in supporting Arabic culture.”
The Shaikh Zayed Book Award recognises cultural achievements across one of the broadest and most diverse areas of any cultural awards internationally. The winner of the Cultural Personality of the Year Award will receive a prize of Dh1 million, a gold medal bearing the Shaikh Zayed Book Award logo, and a certificate of merit, which will be presented at the award presentation ceremony on April 30 in Abu Dhabi.
