| Abdul Aziz al-Maqaleh and Al Taher Wattar Present-Absent at Owais Award Ceremony |
 Algerian novelist Al Taher Wattar, recipient of the short story, novel and drama award, commented that he was unable to travel to Dubai to receive the award due to illness for which he is currently undergoing treatment in Paris.
Al Wattar went on to say that the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award is an initiative that equally serves creativity, thought and art, and enhances and promotes relations between the Arab peoples because it attracts writers and intellectuals on a large scale.
He added that other awards would do well to emulate the Owais Cultural Award by remaining apart from the framework of gifts and donations; for all who have received the Owais award have deserved it through their literary and intellectual achievements.
Al Taher Wattar added: "In the nineties I waited a long time to receive the award; eventually I lost hope, believing that there may be ideological factors preventing this from happening. But it soon became apparent that it was a question of priorities."
He explained that he wished he were able to fly to Dubai to attend the awards ceremony, and to have the opportunity to reminisce with friends and loved ones, but his tried voice reaching us from the frosty winds of Europe confirmed that destiny was not on his side.
For his part, Yemeni poet Abdul Aziz al-Maqaleh, recipient of the poetry award, commented: "I regret that I was not able to attend the award ceremony for health reasons on the one hand, and my internal reluctance to travel on the other, as it is difficult for me to leave Sanaa - even to my small village. But I am thrilled to receive this prestigious award and I feel great pride for the moral honor bestowed upon me by jury's unanimous decision which is like a medal I wear with pride."
Al-Maqaleh continued: "Over the past two decades, through its various cultural activities, and as a result of the wisdom and awareness of the people in charge of this institution, Al Owais Cutural Foundation has been able to position itself as one of the most important cultural institutions in the Arab world, and indeed, worldwide."
He added that Al Owais Foundation: "placed the UAE as a radiating center for culture and enlightenment. How much are our nations in need of such institutions in our current circumstances; institutions which represent beacons of light in the Arabian Gulf and the Arab world, striving always to widen the circle of fair creative competition." |
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