Moroccan Book Award Honors Creativity and Scientific Research

Morocco celebrated its literary and academic achievements at the annual Moroccan Book Award ceremony, recognizing the contributions of writers, academics, translators, and poets.

The event, held at the National Library, honored works across a diverse range of categories. These included the humanities, social sciences, Amazigh literature, poetry, narrative, literary studies, translation, studies in Amazigh culture, and children's and young adult literature.

Abdallah Saaf, president of the award's judging committees and a former minister, highlighted the committees' complete independence and efficiency. He stated that their shared methodology involved ranking works based on suitable criteria, expressing satisfaction with the results and the autonomy of the process, which he believes enhances the award's symbolic value.

While the social sciences award was not given despite 17 submissions, other categories saw notable recipients. Abdellah Malouk and Brahim Majdila shared the humanities award. Jamal Abrenous received the translation award for his work from French to Arabic. Fatima Chebli was honored for her studies in Amazigh culture, and Saleh Ait Saleh won for his novel in the Amazigh language.

In the narrative category, Anis Rafie and Jamal Bendahman shared the award for their short story collection and novel, respectively. The poetry award was jointly given to Munir Serhani and Mukhlis Al-Saghir. The children's and young adult literature award was also shared by Abdellatif Ait Nila and Ahmed Sibai.

The ceremony featured performances by students from the National Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Animation, who presented excerpts from the award-winning works. The judging committees were chaired by various prominent figures in Moroccan literary and academic circles, underscoring the prestige of the awards.

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All committees worked with complete independence and efficiency, with a common methodology of ranking works according to criteria that the committee members deem appropriate for judging. I am happy with the results, the working conditions, and the independence; because the latter strengthens the symbolic value of the Moroccan Book Award.