The book “The Harvest of Thorns… A Critique of the Awarded in Award Literature” has recently been published. It tackles a series of scandals surrounding literary awards, both global and Arab, and was released by the publishing house “Al-Siraj for Publishing and Distribution” in Cairo and Tripoli.
The book presents startling facts about awarding institutions, their funding sources, and the secrets of their hidden committees, amidst suspicions of their unethical intentions. These have contributed to promoting shallow, inferior works at the expense of serious, humanistic literature. The author considers this a disservice to culture and literary creativity, as well as to the “moral” value of an award as a recognition of excellence.
Awards Between Bias and Value
The view presented is that “literary awards” no longer hold moral value for the writer, regardless of their financial and promotional worth. The ideal goal is not to win a prize for a novel judged by a limited committee of questionable competence, but for the work to stand boldly before readers and critics. With this unethical bias, an award can become “unjust” towards many valuable works.
With “The Harvest of Thorns,” the reader is placed at the heart of historical evidence and critical testimonies about awards, both in the Arab world and globally. These include testimonies from major novelists who criticized and renounced awards from within, upholding critical reasoning and doing justice to the value of human creativity.
The book spans 153 medium-sized pages. It will be gradually available in Arab bookstores and exhibitions and is expected to serve as a reference for researchers and scholars. It offers a critical reading that adds to the discussions on the issues of literature, creativity, and reading in the current Arab cultural scene.
The Harvest of Thorns
“The Harvest of Thorns” is a 1980 novel by Zimbabwean author Shimmer Chinodya, not a physical place or cultural site. It is a significant work in African literature that explores the personal and societal turmoil experienced by a young man during the Rhodesian Bush War and the transition to independent Zimbabwe. The story provides a critical perspective on colonialism and the psychological costs of conflict.
Al-Hindawi
Al-Hindawi is a historic neighborhood located in the old city of Damascus, Syria, known for its traditional architecture and cultural significance. It dates back many centuries and is part of the ancient urban fabric of one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The area is characterized by its narrow alleys, courtyard houses, and historic mosques, reflecting the rich Islamic and Levantine heritage of Damascus.
Al-Siraj for Publishing and Distribution
Al-Siraj for Publishing and Distribution is a Jordanian publishing house founded in 1990, known for specializing in Islamic literature, children’s books, and educational materials. It has played a significant role in distributing religious and cultural texts throughout the Arab world.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty near ancient sites like the Pyramids of Giza. It is a historic center of the Islamic world, famed for landmarks such as the Al-Azhar Mosque and the medieval Cairo Citadel.
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, located on the country’s Mediterranean coast. Historically, it was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and has since been ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, Italians, and others, serving as a major center of trade and culture in North Africa. Its historic core, the medina of Tripoli, contains significant architecture from these various periods.
