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PRESS RELEASE
London Bookshop and Publisher wins £5,000 prize
The first annual Arab British Culture and Society award of £5,000 was presented today (25th June) to Al Saqi Books.
As Sir Marrack Goulding, Chairman of the distinguished panel of Judges (3 Arab and 3 British) was unwell, panel member Robert Irwin kindly presented the award on his behalf and said:
“There were some very impressive nominees but the judges agreed unanimously that the prize must go to Al Saqi for its outstanding work in promoting knowledge and understanding of so many aspects of Arab life- first from its bookshop in Westbourne Grove and since 1983 through its pioneering publishing company as well.
Al Saqi has always maintained the highest standards - literary, artistic and intellectual - with a fearless determination to ensure that serious issues and ideas that some might be reluctant to acknowledge were thoroughly explored.”
The Judges also commended very highly four of the other 61 nominations:
Reem Kelani, Singer, musician and broadcaster, “whose wonderful artistry rooted in the rich musical tradition of Palestine has delighted so many audiences in the UK.”
Margaret Obank, Co founder of Banipal magazine, Banipal Books and Secretary of the Banipal Trust “who has worked tirelessly to make Arab literature available to British readers, particularly modern poets and novelists who illuminate the experience of individuals in changing Arab societies.”
Maysoon Pachachi, The documentary film maker, “whose vivid and insightful films have shown British audiences how Arab people see the world around them.”
Dr Venetia Porter, Curator of Middle Eastern Art at the British Museum, “who with her deep knowledge of Arab culture through the ages has staged such brilliant exhibitions.”
Accepting the award, André Gaspard of Al Saqi expressed his delight:
“The Al Saqi Bookshop and SAQI publishing are honoured and very proud to be awarded this prize, particularly in its inaugural year and in the company of such an esteemed short list. We commend the work of the Arab British Centre, and look forward to collaborating with the Arab British Centre in the future on projects that will help further our shared goal of promoting Arabic Literature in the UK.”
The Chairman of the ABC, which had set up the prize, Christopher Segar, declared that he and his fellow trustees:
“were thrilled by the number, variety and quality of the nominations. This is the first year and we have achieved everything we set out to do. We have shone a spotlight on and, I hope, encouraged the many talented and creative individuals and organisations who are bringing the richness and variety of Arab culture and life to the British public’s understanding and enjoyment.
And at a time when news of the Middle East is so often of war, cruelty and closed minds, we have reminded the British people of the humanity, creativity and openness of Arab culture.
We have also, I am confident, established that this prize must indeed be an annual event... so we will be inviting nominations for the 2009 award later this year. Watch our website for details.”
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Notes to Editors
The Arab-British Centre was registered as a charity in 1989 with the object of advancing the education of the public by providing and maintaining a centre for the dissemination of information regarding the culture, art, science, religion, economy and contemporary history of the Arab world.
The Centre, at 1 Gough Square, just north of Fleet Street, provides facilities for a number of organisations actively involved in British-Arab relations: The Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding, OffScreen Education Programme and Friends of Birzeit University. It has a library and a well-equipped meeting room available to other organisations with similar objectives.
The Centre also promotes cultural events in partnership with other charities/organisations as well as organising its own programme of events highlighting developments in contemporary Arab culture.
The Arab-British Culture and Society Award was launched in November 2007 to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the British public’s understanding of the life, society and culture of the Arab people. In addition to the prize of £5,000, the ABC will also offer opportunities and support to promote the winner’s work.
The winner was chosen by a group of distinguished Arab and British panellists who together have an expert appreciation of the culture of both the Arab World and the United Kingdom. The group was chaired by Sir Marrack Goulding, a former British diplomat, Under-Secretary-General in the United Nations and Warden of St Antony’s College, Oxford.
The judges were:
· Maysaloun Faraj, Artist, Curator and Editor of Strokes of Genius: Contemporary Iraqi Art. Also founder of the International Network of Contemporary Iraqi Artists and the Ayagallery in
London.
· Robert Irwin,
Middle East Editor of the Times Literary Supplement.
· Dr Ghada Karmi, Research Fellow at the
Institute of
Arab and Islamic Studies,
Exeter
University.
· His Excellency Gehad Refaat Madi, Egyptian Ambassador to the
United Kingdom.
· Dr Shelagh Weir, Research Associate at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and authority on Palestinian and Yemeni culture.
Al Saqi Bookshop and Publishers won the award In recognition of their immense contribution over more than 20 years to our knowledge and understanding of the life, society and culture of the Arab people.
Al Saqi Bookshop was opened in 1979 on 26 Westbourne Grove in London’s Bayswater. It was founded by the two lifelong friends André Gaspard and Mai Ghoussoub who died last year. In 1983 they went on to found Saqi Books with the aim of providing an independent platform for cutting edge topics and voices.
For further information about The Arab British Centre and its resident organisations, please contact us at:
The Arab-British Centre, 1 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE
020 7832 1310
info@arabbritishcentre.org.uk
www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk
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