Sheikh Zayed Book Award Reading Panel Commences Virtual Review Process of 2020 Submissions

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award Reading Panel Committee has commenced its review of this year’s eligible submissions, holding its first session for the current edition of the prize remotely. Chaired by HE Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Secretary General of the Award and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the review session was attended by panelists Professor Dr. Khalil Al Shaikh of Jordan and Emirati literary critic and poet Sultan Al Amimi, both members of the Award’s Scientific Committee, and Dr. Ali Al-Kaabi from the UAE.

In the coming weeks, a series of further virtual meetings will be held by the Reading Panel Committee to review the 2020 submissions received thus far and evaluate how well they meet the criteria for the prize. These sessions will continue until 1 October, marking the end of the submission phase, after which the longlists of nominees for each category will be announced in due course.

Following the announcement of the longlists, the panel of judges will then assess the nominated works, taking into account knowledge specialisation, commitment to clear analysis and composition, aesthetics of language and style, information sufficiency, comprehensiveness, relevance, reliability of sources and references, academic integrity in quoting and documentation, originality and novelty of subject matter.

Throughout its history, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has welcomed 16,746 submissions from 50 countries in nine categories. Submissions for the 15th edition will be received until 1 October 2020 via the Award’s website

About the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction, which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The organisation manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. DCT Abu Dhabi supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.