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Dar Al-Saqi Wins Abdelaziz Al Mansour Award for Children Stories

A visitor checks a book during the 44th Kuwait International Book Fair in Kuwait City. AFP file photo
A visitor checks a book during the 44th Kuwait International Book Fair in Kuwait City. AFP file photo
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Dar Al-Saqi Wins Abdelaziz Al Mansour Award for Children Stories

A visitor checks a book during the 44th Kuwait International Book Fair in Kuwait City. AFP file photo
A visitor checks a book during the 44th Kuwait International Book Fair in Kuwait City. AFP file photo

The Arab Publishers Association has announced that the Lebanese publishing house Dar Al-Saqi won the Abdelaziz Al Mansour Award for Children Stories 2020 in its second edition. The $10,000 award will be entirely given to the winning publishing house.

In a press release by the Arab Publishers Association, Dr. Tarek al-Bakri, head of the award's jury said: "Dar Al-Saqi won the award for its story entitled ‘My Wondrous Picnic with My Uncle Salem,’ written by Emirati writer Nadia al-Najjar, and designed by Syrian artist Gulnar Hajo."

Bakri said the jury was composed of Dr. Wafa' Al-Shamsi (Oman), Dr. Ashraf Kadous (Egypt), poet Mohammed Jamal Amro (Jordan), and Novelist Saleh al-Ghazi (Egypt).

According to the jury, "My Wondrous Picnic with My Uncle Salem" bested other titles with its subtle writing style, richness of elements, exciting narrative, and use of easy words, in addition to its beautiful design, creative graphics, and fancy printing. It also helps introduce children to some life details and boosts the spirit of hard work, will, and compassion.

Bakri thanked the jury of Abdelaziz Al Mansour Award, which was named after the Kuwaiti prominent publisher Abdelaziz Al Mansour. He founded "That Al Salasil" library 50 years ago, one of the best Arabic publishing houses known for its constant contribution to publishing and distributing thousands of books in all fields."

Mohammed Rashad, head of the Publishing Association, said "Although it's relatively novel, and despite the impact of the pandemic on Arab publishers, this award represents a true example of solidarity and brotherhood among Arab publishers."

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Iran Artist's Vision For Culture Hub Enlivens Rustic District

Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
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Iran Artist's Vision For Culture Hub Enlivens Rustic District

Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP
Arabesque patterns feature in Yazdi's creations © ATTA KENARE / AFP

In the winding alleys of southern Iran, artist Adel Yazdi has taken it upon himself to turn his rustic old neighbourhood into a cultural and tourist hub through vibrant paintings and carved relief faces.

Narenjestan, a neighbourhood characterized by crumbling, uninhabited houses, is nestled in Shiraz, a southern city celebrated for its historic architecture, lush gardens and revered poets.

"Most of the dilapidated walls in old Shiraz have no historical value," said Yazdi, a bushy-bearded, bespectacled 40-year-old artist who has dedicated himself to revitalising Narenjestan, AFP reported.

Yazdi has over the years turned the long-neglected neighbourhood walls into a vivid visual tapestry "telling the stories of the people living here," he said.

Arabesque patterns and relief faces carved with intricate details and painted in an array of vivid hues of greens, pinks, blues and purples now adorn the walls.

With its striking designs and bright colors, Yazdi's art can be reminiscent of Surrealism. It often comes across as surprising, showcasing a different side of Iran's artistic heritage that goes beyond the conventional focus on Persian or Islamic architecture.

The artwork includes the face of Scheherazade, Yazdi said, referencing the legendary storyteller from the "One Thousand and One Nights" collection of folktales.

Yazdi's work stands out in Shiraz where graffiti and murals are rare, becoming a social media sensation and a tourist attraction.

One visitor, Mahdieh, discovered Yazdi's murals through Instagram.

"I arrived in Shiraz yesterday... and it was the first site I wanted to visit," said the 40-year-old, who declined to give her last name.

At the end of one alleyway, Yazdi has established his workshop in a century-old building with small rooms encircling a serene garden.

He also lives in the building, with a traditional Persian architectural style.

It is filled with artefacts and sculptures, resembling a museum warehouse.

To Maedah, a 30-year-old engineer, Yazdi's house brings to mind "other historical places in the city, such as the Eram Garden and the Mausoleum of the Poet Hafez".

Yazdi said he drew inspiration from the Pompidou Center in Paris, a cultural hub that transformed the heart of the French capital in the 1970s.

He hopes his efforts can turn Shiraz's alleyways into even more of a vibrant cultural center as well.

At his residence, visitors are particularly drawn to what Yazdi calls "the Finger Room."

Inside, he installed around 14,000 finger sculptures on the ceiling, all pointing downward.

"The room is inspired by the legend of an angel that counts raindrops with thousands of fingers," he said, referring to an Islamic fable.

"These fingers are there to constantly remind us that the present moment is precious and that we must seize it."