Marina Sarruf*
marina.sarruf@anba.com.br
São Paulo – The Kind Abdulaziz Public Library, in Saudi Arabia, is accepting entries of texts in the areas of humanities and natural sciences for participation in the first international award for translations from and into Arabic. The authors interested in participating in the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Award for Translation" may enrol up to July 31.
The award, which will take place annually, was established last year and its objective is promotion and integration of the Arab culture with others, as well as the exchange of knowledge and the consolidation of dialogue between civilisations. The award is international recognition for works of relevance and notable effort in the field of translation from other languages into Arabic and vice versa.
The library is going to award translations in the following categories: works in the humanities, translations in natural sciences and translations by institutions. Each winner will receive a certificate, a gold medal and 500,000 Saudi riyals (US$ 133,000).
One person who intends to participate in the award is the foreign relations vice president at the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Helmi Mohammed Ibraim Nasr, who translated the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims, into Portuguese. "This is the first time that an opportunity like this arises. I think that the award has a marvellous intention not only for the present, but also for the future," stated Nasr.
The translation of the Koran was the first into Portuguese to be printed at the King Fahd Complex, in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The book, which has over 600 pages, took four years to be translated and another 20 to be revised and approved. The work was released in Brazil in October 2005.
Qualification
To run for the award, the texts must have been translated five years prior to the awarding ceremony at the latest and may not have received other awards. The author of the translation may not participate with more than one work. Those interested must fill out the form at the site of the award, send a summary of the work and five hard copies of the original text and the translation.
Library
King Abdulaziz Public Library was established in 1985 and inaugurated in 1987 by Saudi King Abdulaziz. It is a beneficent organization and its objective is promotion of knowledge in the country. Using modern equipment, the organization offers high-quality services and is among the largest libraries in the country.
Further information
International Translation Award
Site: www.translationaward.org
Saudi Embassy to Brasília
Tel: (+55 61) 3248-3523
*Translated by Mark Ament
