The 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2026), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) and recently concluded, featured a ceremony to honour the winners in the inaugural edition of the ‘Thaqafa Award for Youth’, launched by Thaqafa Publishing and Distribution.
The award seeks to honour the careers and contributions of publishers Bassam Chebaro and Ali Obaid bin Hatem, and is presented annually to two young writers under the age of 30 in recognition of outstanding works across the categories of novels, short stories, and contemporary sciences. It aims to encourage young literary talent, provide professional opportunities for emerging writers, and publish the winning works in print, digital, and audio formats, thereby advancing its vision to strengthen literary connections among different generations.
The award’s judging committee evaluated all submitted entries and selected the winners of the inaugural edition: Asmaa Al Hamli, for her book ‘The Memory of Water’, and Ola Shami, for ‘Tishreen Al Thalith’.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “Literary awards provide an exceptional source of motivation, unlocking young people’s potential and creativity. They inspire them to produce more works that bring greater vitality to the Arab cultural scene and elevate the standing of literary creativity as a source of intellectual thought and human knowledge.”
“Associating the ‘Thaqafa Award for Youth’ with Bassam Chebaro and Ali Obaid bin Hatem further enhances its standing, as the two late publishers were pioneering figures and pillars in Arab publishing who devoted their lives to books and knowledge and left behind a rich legacy,” His Excellency added. “It also helps sustain efforts to strengthen the publishing sector, which is a cornerstone of the knowledge industry.”
“Furthermore, honouring the winners as part of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair reflects the annual event’s vision and mission to inspire young generations, invest in their potential, and equip them with the creative tools they need to contribute meaningfully to the creation of innovative cultural works,” H.E. bin Tamim explained. “Every young talent we discover and recognise today is a valuable addition to the future of Emirati and Arab culture. Every new idea we help bring to audiences enriches the community’s knowledge and culture and broadens its intellectual horizons.”
H.E. Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said: “Honouring young creatives in the inaugural edition of this award, as part of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, one of the leading intellectual and knowledge platforms in the Arab world and internationally, marks an important milestone in supporting young Emirati talent. It gives them an ideal opportunity to express their ideas and perspectives, while paving the way for them to make a meaningful contribution to the UAE’s cultural and intellectual scene.”
Young people working in literary and intellectual pursuits are no longer simply an audience, but active partners in shaping a new and influential cultural sector that is having a real-life impact on Emirati and Arab culture, H.E. Al Kous explained. He added that recognising and supporting this talent strengthen the publishing sector and the wider cultural and creative industries, while reflecting the UAE’s ambition to build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy driven by national talent and expertise.
Asmaa Al Hamli
Asmaa Al Hamli, Emirati visual artist and manuscript restoration specialist, is the author of ‘The Sand Tribe’, which won the Best Emirati Book (First Novel) category at the 2025 Sharjah International Book Fair Award. She is also the author of ‘Shores of the Moon’, a short story collection that won the 2026 Ghanem Ghobash Short Story Award.
In her novel ‘The Memory of Water’, Al Hamli follows Ahmad and Amal, two young, talented, and unconventional characters whose fate leads them on a distant adventure into the depths of a dark marine fantasy world in the Arabian Gulf. The novel blends fact and imagination in a literary work that allows readers to escape the noise of everyday life.
Ola Shami
Lebanese author Ola Shami is the author of the poetry collection ‘Bila Kuhul’, which ranked third among the best-selling books at the Beirut International Book Fair. She is the founder of ‘Qasa’id Jewellery’, a creative brand that transforms Arabic poetry and words into jewellery, carving a distinctive presence for herself in the cultural field. Shami holds master’s degrees in mathematics and philosophy and works as a university lecturer.
Her book ‘Tishreen Al Thalith’ is an emotionally driven novel that explores motherhood through an engaging literary narrative that raises thought-provoking questions. It delves into themes of love, loss, identity, and reincarnation, telling the story of a woman who fears losing her unborn child after a doctor tells her that the baby has a hole in its heart. She decides to continue with the pregnancy, and the novel follows the inner struggles and conflicts of its characters.
