Bodour Al Qasimi Becomes First Gulf Woman to Win Prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction

Bologna, April 3 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Emirati publisher, author, and women's advocate Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has become the first woman from an Arab Gulf state to win the BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction, one of the world’s most prestigious honors in children’s literature.

Sheikha Bodour received the award for her acclaimed children’s book House of Wisdom during a ceremony held at the historic Farnese Chapel in Palazzo d'Accursio, as part of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

In her remarks, Sheikha Bodour described the award as “a shift towards a more inclusive children's publishing sector,” and emphasized the power of literature to foster unity and understanding amid global challenges. “Books like House of Wisdom carry a message that literature can build bridges between cultures and champion the bigger human picture,” she said.

House of Wisdom draws inspiration from the historic library in Baghdad, which served as a beacon of knowledge and intercultural exchange before its destruction in 1258. “Its loss is a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance today,” Sheikha Bodour noted.

The book is illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, whose artwork was praised for visually capturing the narrative’s spirit of curiosity, innovation, and dialogue. In a statement, he said working on the project was “a unique opportunity to express humanity’s enduring quest for knowledge.”

The BolognaRagazzi Award jury recognized the book for its ability to spark scientific curiosity, compassion, and critical thinking in young readers, while advancing international appreciation for Middle Eastern children’s literature.

Following the award, Sheikha Bodour participated in a panel discussion with other laureates and attended a reception at the Kalimat Group stand, where she highlighted the cultural message behind House of Wisdom and Sharjah’s commitment to knowledge preservation—including the creation of its own modern House of Wisdom.

Earlier in the week, Sheikha Bodour also held a book signing at the Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop, which she helped restore after it was damaged by fire in 2022, contributing funds through the Sharjah World Book Capital Office.

The award marks a historic milestone in Arab and Gulf literary achievement, reinforcing the region’s growing influence in global publishing and children’s literature.