São Paulo – Sudanese theatre actor and director Ali Mahdi Nouri was awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) for his artistic and social work in the North African country. The Sudanese received the Unesco-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture 2011, together with French poet and novelist Cherif Khaznadar.
Nouri established the Al-Bugaa Theatre, which travels areas of conflict, in Sudan, and presents plays interpreted by war orphans. The artist presents his plays inspired on the culture of the Arab country and uses much local folklore, as well as narration techniques.
"The work uses the Arab language and culture, especially in the songs and stories, as a way to make young actors rebuild their lives," explained the international jury that selected the winners. Each one should receive US$ 30,000.
The award is financed by the emirate of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, and was proposed by sheikh Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi. It was approved by the Unesco executive council in 1998.
The award recognises people, groups or institutions that contributed significantly to development, promotion and disclosure of Arab culture in the world, as well as preservation and revitalisation of intangible Arab assets. The awarding ceremony of this edition was scheduled for Friday (15).
*Translated by Mark Ament