In a landmark moment for Arab Gulf literature, Emirati publisher, author, and women’s advocate Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has become the first woman from a Gulf state to win the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction.
Her award-winning children’s book, House of Wisdom, was honoured at a ceremony held in the historic Farnese Chapel at Bologna’s Palazzo d’Accursio.
House of Wisdom was praised for its imaginative approach to fostering critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and compassion among young readers. The book draws inspiration from the historic Baghdad Library of the same name, once a beacon of intellectual collaboration across cultures before its destruction in 1258. Sheikha Bodour describes its loss as “a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance today.”
In her acceptance speech, Sheikha Bodour described the award as “a shift towards a more inclusive children’s publishing sector.”
She continuted “Amid heightened global tensions, stories like House of Wisdom carry a message that books can occasion unity, progress, and a deeper understanding between cultures.”
Illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, the book combines a richly woven narrative with striking visual storytelling. Although unable to attend the ceremony in person, Younesi expressed pride in the collaboration, saying: “Working on House of Wisdom was a unique opportunity to visually capture the spirit of curiosity and innovation that drives humanity’s infinite quest for learning and dialogue.”
Following the award ceremony, Sheikha Bodour joined a panel with other BolognaRagazzi Award winners and attended a celebratory reception at the Kalimat Group stand, where she shared insights into her creative process. She spoke of storytelling’s role in preserving cultural legacies and bridging divides, highlighting Sharjah’s own House of Wisdom as a modern embodiment of these ideals.
Earlier in the week, she also signed copies of her book at Bologna’s Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop. Notably, Sheikha Bodour helped fund its restoration after a devastating fire in 2022, drawing on support from the Sharjah World Book Capital Office.
Sheikha Bodour’s recognition at Bologna underscores the growing global appreciation for Middle Eastern children’s literature and its potential to inspire future generations through inclusive, imaginative storytelling.
