The Egyptian singer Nagat al-Saghira, a major figure of the Arab musical golden age. (Credit: Photo provided by the Sheikh Zayed Award)
A voice was needed to embody twenty years of cultural history. That of Nagat al-Saghira, warm and timeless, has emerged as an obvious choice. The Egyptian singer has been named "cultural personality of the year" by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, whose 20th edition marks a symbolic turning point for this award, which over the years has become one of the major barometers of Arab intellectual creation.Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the aegis of the Department of Culture and Tourism, the award is part of a continuously expanding movement. With more than 4,000 applications from 74 countries – including, for the first time, Chile, Iceland and Luxembourg – it confirms an ambitious aim: to foster dialogue among cultures on a global scale.Through this anniversary list, the prize is "honored to have...
A voice was needed to embody twenty years of cultural history. That of Nagat al-Saghira, warm and timeless, has emerged as an obvious choice. The Egyptian singer has been named "cultural personality of the year" by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, whose 20th edition marks a symbolic turning point for this award, which over the years has become one of the major barometers of Arab intellectual creation.Organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the aegis of the Department of Culture and Tourism, the award is part of a continuously expanding movement. With more than 4,000 applications from 74 countries – including, for the first time, Chile, Iceland and Luxembourg – it confirms an ambitious aim: to foster dialogue among cultures on a global scale.Through this anniversary list, the prize is "honored to have...