Tunis, June 4 (TAP) - Four Tunisian writers, including three professional authors and a young female author, as well as two young Algerian authors, were among the winners of the 16th edition of the Arab Mustapha Azouz Prize for Children's Literature, unveiled on Wednesday afternoon at a ceremony held at the City of Culture.
Three Tunisian writers, including two female authors and a short story writer, were the winners of the competition for professional authors. First prize went to Ichraf Ben Mrad for ‘Rihlat Nour’ (Nour's Journey).
The second prize was awarded to Besma Gandouzi for ‘Alwane alhayat’ (The colours of life), while the third prize went to Ibrahim Riahi for ‘Al fata dhou al-ayn al kassoula’ (The child with the lazy eye).
In the children's literature competition for authors aged between 9 and 18, the list of winners includes Tunisian Islam Majoul for ‘Haythou takounou alhouriatou yakounou alwatan’ (Where there is freedom, there is the Homeland).
The other two winners are Algerian, including Nourcine Charfik (Sétif) for ‘Boudhour Azzaytoun’ (The Seeds of Olive Tree) and Al Motassem Bellah Wathek Midani for ‘Linaech bihtiram’ (Let's Live in Respect).
The jury for this year's competition included authors Nafela Dhhab (president), Amel Mokhtar, Mohamed el Kadi, Hedi Khadraoui and Fathi Ben Maammer.
The competition for professional authors is worth a total of TND 25,000, with TND 12,000 for the first prize, TND 8,000 for the second prize and TND 5,000 for the 3rd prize.
The children's literature competition is worth TND 3,000, to be awarded to the three winners.
A posthumous tribute was also paid to famous man of culture Fradj Chouchène, who had passed away in December 2024. Writer Jalila Tritar gave a speech in tribute to this great icon of the cultural and audiovisual landscape, who died after a long career spanning almost six decades as a producer at the national radio and television station, writer and playwright.
This year's edition saw the participation of 117 writers from various Arab countries, as well as authors from the Arab diaspora living in France, Sweden and, for the first time, the United States of America.
The winners of the event, organised on June 3-4, were announced at the end of the annual Arab Children’s Literature Forum, chaired by Tunisian writer Mohamed Ait Mihoub.
Literature, psychoanalysis, psychology (particularly child psychology) and pedagogy were at the heart of this year's forum, which focused on the theme: ‘Humour, comedy and fun in children's literature.’
This annual competition is organised by the Arab Children's Literature Forum, in partnership with ATB-Tunis and with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. It is open to Arabic-speaking writers submitting a story for readers aged 12 to 16, as well as to young people and children aged 9 to 18.
Created in 2003, the prize is named after late writer and poet Mustapha Azzouz (1914-2003) in tribute to his realistic literary work.
A member of the pre- and post-independence generation of writers, Mustapha Azzouz was a prolific author who was deeply concerned with the issues of his society and his time.
Since its inception nearly 22 years ago, the Arab Mustapha Azouz Prize for Children's Literature has been awarded to 47 winners, including authors from various Arab countries, in addition to 30 children and young people from across the region who have been awarded encouragement prizes.
ENGLISH: BEN DHAOU NEJIBA