Posted in:
Culture & Society
Written By: Khalid al-Syaghi
Article Date: Mar 29, 2008 - 1:21:16 AM
2008 Arab Prize nominee Wajdi al-Andal
Recently, the Kika website published a report announcing the nominees for the 2008 International Prize for Arab Novels, named the Arab Poker Prize, and mentioned that the novel “Quarantine Philosopher,” by Yemeni writer Wajdi al-Ahdal was among the sixteen works nominated for the prize.
The report was introduced by Moroccan poet Mohammed Banis, as a member of a selection committee, and described the stages which the committee underwent in its selection of this year’s recipient.
Al-Ahdal commented on the novels and and spoke of new trends in literature, enlisting the measures used for the identification of each novel’s characteristics. The committee examined the works’ structure, including their usage of language, elements, style, and techniques. The committee also observed that the types of structure differed in accordance with the writers’ awareness and handling of language and usage of writing techniques and methods.
The trend towards modernization in the writings seems to be compatible with the profound changes that the Arab world has experienced within the last 30 years. The novels encompass and modernize past experiences through several techniques: mixing the novel with autobiography, resurrection of different eras in history, focus on self-essence, the plight of individual alienation, fantasy, black comedy, declension, and violent realism. There is sometimes a mixture between fantasy and the documentation of social and historical events and it is considered a diversified shift for Arabic novels from the formerly prevailing fashions to new ones that delve into contemporary, complicated Arab reality.
The human experience, which is the essence of the novel, according to al-Ahdal, is added to these characteristics. The collective and individual lives, fields, values, and attitudes, which are demonstrated by these works lay bare modern Arabic relations and past civilization.
One committee member noticed with dismay the erroneous language of some of the nominated works, which indicates the absence of professional proofreading at the publishing establishments. According to the member, this is unfortunately a prevailing phenomenon seen in most of the works.
The selection committee manager spoke of their endeavor to place the Arabic novel prize at the highest level along with international novels and novelists. Work on selection of this year’s recipient began in July 2007, when the long list of contenders was selected and review of the nominated novels by committee members began.
The first stage of the process was a meeting in camera held in London to choose contesting novels. Next, the second stage of the selection process concluded with the announcement of the prize winner for 2008. At the final selection committee meeting, on March 22, 2008, each committee member gave his view point on the work which he most strongly supported. The members then voted for the contesting works in accordance with determined systems. The votes were counted in the presence of the Prize General Director.
The 2008 Arab Poker Prize for Arabic literature was awarded to “Wahat al- Ghrob”, by the Egyptian wirier Baha’a Tahir. Wajdi al-Ahdal, the Yemeni writer who was nominated to this competition, is one of the country’s most prominent novelists. He is the author of “Qwarib Jabaliah” (Mountain Boats), which provoked a great deal of controversy after its publication. Having his novel nominated for this highly regarded prize is a great recognition of his work.
A list of the nominated novels, include:
* Ardh al-Yabos, Al-Yas Farkoh, by Dar Azmia
* The Quarantine Philosopher, by Wajdi al-Ahdal,
* Matar Hozairan, (June Rains), by Jabor al-Doihi
* Awal al-Nahar, by Saad al-Qirsh
* Qabil Ain Akhok Habil, (Qabil Where is Your Brother Habil), by Ibrahim al-Koni * Taghribat al-Baja’h, by Makawi Saeed,
* Atabat al-Bahjah, by Ibrahim Abdlmajed * Fasil Lildahsha, by Mohamed al-Fakhrani * Tabkial-Ardh, Yadhahak Zohal, by Abdul-Aziz al-Farisi,
* Rawi Qurtuba, by Abduljabar Odoan
