Ministry of culture launches children literature award

HE Minister of Culture Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari announced Monday of the launch of the 5th State Award for Children Literature. The award includes five categories, they are: 1) Plays. 2) Educational comics. 3) Children's music. 4) innovative electronic games. Speaking at a press conference today at the ministry's headquarter, HE the Minister said that the goal of the award was to increase the production of children-related intellectual work. This, he added, would help raise a new generation in keeping with the Arab and Islamic culture. HE the Minister said that the award was fully supported by the State of Qatar, referring to the speech of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani which stressed on the importance of culture and the role of the state in supporting it. His Excellency said that one of the main priorities was building up every child culturally, adding that the State Award was one of the many sources of producing a classy literature for children. In addition to providing prizes to winners and publishing the winning works, the ministry launched an internet webpage dedicated to Arab children, so that they can interact with their culture from an early age. The webpage also presents the Arabic language in a very simple and interesting manner, HE the minister said. HE the Minister also stressed on the role the award plays in promoting children's theater. Not only as a means for recreation, but for consolidating faith in Islamic and Arabic principles. Deputy Chairman of the award's trustees committee Rashid Al Binali said for his part that the award consolidated its presence in the whole of the Arab world, as a link between Arab culture and the new generation. The award paved the way for classy literature for children that was appropriate with the Arab and Islamic culture. Established in 2008, the winners of the prize are awarded QR200,000. Any Qatari or Arabic writer could participate in the award by sending a piece of work that is innovative and has a message that emphasizes the Arabic and Islamic cultures. They must present six hard copies of the work in A4 paper with Traditional Arabic as the font, with 14 being its size. They must also present one electronic copy.