Awarding Ceremony
CAIRO, 27 January 2007
| Awarding Ceremony
NAPLES, 17 March 2007


SECTION PUBLISHER

To the Egyptian publisher Afaq for its efforts, without any public support, in the field of translation and promotion of the book, thus contributing to the knowledge of Arabic culture and to the valorisation of the different identities in a process of real social and cultural integration.

To the Italian publisher Jouvence for its cultural action in favour of translation and for the highlevel scientific and cultural specialized publications for Universities, Academies and for experts of historical subjects. Its promotion and specialization in texts of authors from the Arab world contributes to the valorisation of the different cultures in a process of real social and cultural integration in the global scene.

 


SECTION TRANSLATORS

Khalil Kalfat for her estimable work of translation from different languages – English, French and Russian – into Arabic, with which she contributed diffusing knowledge of the different cultures and promoting feelings of mutual comprehension and respect.

Adel El-Siwi for his worthy labour of translation from Italian – especially Ungaretti’s work – into Arabic, with which he contributed diffusing knowledge of the different cultures and promoting feelings of mutual comprehension and respect.

Beshir Al Sibai for her admirable work of translation from different languages – English, French and Russian – into Arabic, with which she contributed diffusing knowledge of the different cultures and promoting feelings of mutual comprehension and respect.

 


SECTION PROMOTION

To the literary artistic circle Atelier du Caire (an award given in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo) for its cultural work in favour of the intellectuals. Its activities, expositions, meetings, seminars, show that the lay culture illuminating Egypt will not pass away.

To the international book fair Galassia Gutenberg for its contribution, through the section “Mediterranea” to the promotion of the cultures and the identities of the Greater Mediterranean countries.

 


SECTION AUTHORS

To the work “Un ebreo al Cairo”, by the Egyptian writer Shehata Haroun (published by Dar El Alam El-thaleth). This book promotes the co-existence among religions in a geographic area of ancient history. This essay shows that religion belongs to God, while the Country belongs to all the people. The author expressed – with all his personal experience, as a Jewish Egyptian – the value of religious tolerance which brought him to join the Egyptian Democratic Movement. Haroun understood the difference between Hebraism and Zionism and he fought against the confusion of these two different definitions, which is widely exploited by the old and the contemporary colonization.

To the work “Togliete le maschere”, by the Egyptian writer Lenin Al Ramly (published by Dar Misr Mahroussa). A popular story which develops in an imaginary city of the Middle Age. The work is presented in an eloquent Arabic style with some colloquial words. The theatrical text is about the idea of disguise oneself to stimulate debate on this theme in society and its consequences. The narration reflects aspects of the modern society and it is a very courageous work for its intense technique reminding us of the author’s previous works which combine together amusement and reflection.

To the work “La fine è il mio inizio”, by the Italian writer Tiziano Terzani (published by Longanesi), Terzani’s book is an extraordinary example showing how an autobiographical novel, addressed to his son and written as a sharp and amusing dialogue, can be, at the same time, also a document and a historical-anthropological essay about the sense and the roots of the existence. By this book, Tiziano Terzani gives us an authentic handbook on the road towards mutual comprehension among the peoples and the cultures giving a cultural and civil contribution to our age afflicted by the sinister “ghosts” of the clash of civilizations. Terzani is an antidote to the spreading of falsehood.

To the work “La casa delle onde”, by the Italian writer Giuseppe Conte (published by Longanesi). Giuseppe Conte is one of the best representatives of contemporary poetry. He published various collections of poems, mythic and narrative texts. In this historical novel, the author proposes a literary evocation of the great poet Shelley’s poetry and ideals, building an unforgettable portrait of one of the most fascinating figures of the european romanticism. The result of this evocation and research is a novel combining the poetical-literary and historical vision of the author.

To the memory of Pier Giovanni Donini for devoting his life to an intense study of the Arabic-Islamic world carried out without prejudice. He gave a great contribution to the knowledge of Arabic culture, thus valorising its different identities in a process of cultural and social integration aiming to found shared development and peace.