Translator of Alsanousi’s book wins prize

The translation of Saud Alsanousi’s The Bamboo Stalk, by Jonathan Wright of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press (HBKU Press), has been named the winner of the 2016 Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation.The award, established in 2006, is highly recognised in the literary world for its success in raising the profile of contemporary Arabic literature through translations to bring the work of established and emerging Arab writers to the attention of the wider world.“Translations play a critical role in helping the cross-cultural understanding of different societies and cultures,” explained Fakhri Saleh, head, Arabic Publishing at HBKU Press. “This book, in particular, is relevant socially as it sheds light on otherwise misunderstood or ignored issues that are sensitive in nature,” the official said. Saq al Bamboo (The Bamboo Stalk), originally written in Arabic by Kuwaiti author Saud Alsanousi, confronts the universal problems of identity, race and religion through the narrative of the endearing protagonist, José. The novel won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2013. The Bamboo Stalk was published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press in June 2016.