| "Spewing Sparks As Big As Castles" Wins Arab Booker Prize |
 Saudi author, Abdo Khal, was awarded the Arab Booker Prize 2010 for his novel «Spweing Sparks As Big As Castles». The winners of the Arab Booker Prize were announced by Emirates Foundation in Abu Dhabi, the award's supervising authority, at a ceremony on Tuesday evening, 2 March 2010. The ceremony was attended by the six short-listed authors: Jamal Naji and Rubi' Al Madhoun (Palestine); Mansoura Ezz Eddin and Mohammed Al Mansi Kandil (Egypt); Rabe'a Jaber (Lebanon); and Abdo Khal (Saudi Arabia); as well as the members of the jury: Kuwaiti critic, Taleb Al Rifai; critic Raja bin Salama; Saif Al Rahbi; and Frédéric LaGrange.
Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and Managing Director of Emirates Foundation, commented that year after year the prize has continued to establish itself as an important and pioneering award by capturing the interest of followers of the literary and cultural scene in the Arab world and the world alike. This is evidenced by the award's transparency, credibility and objectivity at all times, thus positioning it as one of the most prominent Arab literature awards. He added that we have celebrated the winner of the 3rd session of this award, which was launched in 2007 through funding from Emirates Foundation, one of the most important social institutions in the UAE. The Foundation's main priorities are to develop and care for the youth, and to develop the exhibition environment and support culture.
Saudi novelist, Abdo Khal was born in Al-Majanah, southern KSA in 1962. He holds a BA in Political Science from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah; he is a board member of the Jeddah Literary Club; and managing editor of the Okaz newspaper. He writes a daily column for the same paper; and his works include Dialogue at Earth's Gate; There is no Delight; Cities that Eat Grass; and Immorality. |
|