The sixth Palestine Forum for Arabic Novel commenced today, Monday, at the Yasser Arafat Museum in Ramallah, West Bank, which included the announcement of the winners of the late writer and journalist Ghassan Kanafani's prize and shield. Palestinian author Ibrahim Al-Saafin, head of the jury for the Ghassan Kanafani Prize for Arabic Novel, announced that Egyptian writer Amr Hosny won the prize in its second edition for his novel "The Dinosaur," published by Dar Doun for publishing and distribution.
Al-Saafin stated, "The committee found that this novel is based on a calculated movement among the voices of the narrators through a well-structured plot, reflecting the concerns of the era and its issues with simple and smooth narrative transitions and a language rich in its vibrant uses within the world of convergence and divergence between multiple generations." He added, "It is a cohesive and enjoyable novel that juxtaposes an old and new world, as well as two generations and two perspectives, giving us insight into the past and present, and addressing issues of change, transformation, realization, and unfulfilled love that may never be completed."
Abdul Salam Attari, head of the organizing committee for the forum, announced the awarding of the Ghassan Kanafani Shield for 2023 to Palestinian author and novelist Yahya Yeklef.
The forum's program, organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and running until July 13, includes 10 seminars in Ramallah, Nablus, Birzeit, Bethlehem, and Jenin, with participation from guests from Yemen, Morocco, Egypt, Chad, Jordan, Tunisia, and Oman. Minister of Culture Atef Abu Sif said, "For the sixth time, the Forum for Arabic Novel is being organized in Palestine. Over the past five years, this forum has been held regularly and without interruption after its date was permanently set to coincide with the anniversary of the martyrdom of Ghassan Kanafani, a pioneer of Palestinian literature and one of the pillars of Arab narrative writing in the twentieth century."
He added that "the forum aims to be a platform for exchanging ideas about the reality of the Arabic novel, the future of novel writing, its broad questions, and to celebrate the achievements of Arabic literature." This year, the forum honors Palestinian writer and translator Ahmed Omar Shahin, from the city of Jaffa, dedicating a seminar to discuss his works and thoughts, as well as reprinting his novel "A House for Stoning... A House for Prayer," first published in 1989. The prize was previously awarded in its first edition last year to Syrian writer Al-Mugheera Al-Huwaidi for his novel "Black Fabric," published by Takween Publishing.
