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Al-Ahram Weekly 26 Aug. - 1 Sep. 1999 Issue No. 444 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 26 Aug. - 1 Sep. 1999 Issue No. 444
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Focus Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Prizes for reading
A letter from the Lebanese Culture Forum in Paris recently informed me that this year the forum decided to name their literary prize, which is awarded to an Arab every year for exceptional creativity, in my honour. They also asked me to name a candidate of my choice. I was greatly touched by this gesture, but I must confess my inability to suggest a candidate for this prize, and I will leave that task up to the Forum's esteemed members.
I declined the honour of nominating a candidate for many reasons: first, because I have been cut off from new developments in cultural activity since my eyesight started to fail -- perhaps eight years now. What I know is what I hear from my friends, and this is not sufficiently objective to provide a basis for my choice. In addition, if I were to designate one or two people as potential recipients of such an honour, I would certainly make them happy, but I would also arouse the wrath of hundreds.
I have not awarded that many prizes to promising young authors myself, but I have had the honour of attending ceremonies where "Naguib Mahfouz awards" were given: for example, the yearly ceremony held at the American University in Cairo, where a prize is given for the best novel. The Supreme Council for Culture also gives a prize bearing my name.
I deeply believe that literary awards are very beneficial, especially given the stagnation currently prevailing. When great writers tell me how few books they sell, I feel very sad. Even if many people are illiterate, there are still 30 million people who can and do read. You wouldn't know it, though, from the distribution figures. Maybe prizes are one way of attracting more readers.
Based on an interview by Mohamed Salmawy.
