Good news alert: IPAF reminds us the arts shine light in difficult times

Algerian novelist Abdelouahab Aissaoui is the winner of the 2020 International Prize for Arabic Fiction. Kheridine Mabrouk.

The coronavirus pandemic has been by far the biggest talking point in the news and in everyday conversation. Yet, even in the midst of a global outbreak, there is space for hope and good news.

Earlier in the week, Algeria made literary history when Abdelouahab Aissaoui became the first novelist from that country to win the prestigious International Prize for Arabic Fiction.

Aissaoui's award, for his book The Spartan Court, is a moment that deserves to be cherished and celebrated. But with the prize-giving ceremony held digitally, its prospective attendees absent, Aissaoui's big win, unfortunately, slipped under the radar.

The Spartan Court is a historical novel set in 18th-century Algiers, where a diverse set of characters recount stories of courage and resistance against their French colonisers. Assaoui's portrayal of resilience in times of strife resonates powerfully with the situation we currently find ourselves in, as the whole world battles an invisible enemy.

At a time when humanity is faced with great adversity, compounded by a sense of loneliness that is a natural byproduct of self-isolation, the unifying power of literature - and more generally, culture - truly shines through. Reading books, whether on a digital device or on paper, connects us in a time of physical as well as social distancing, and reminds us of our shared humanity. More broadly, works of art, including cinema, literature and other cultural projects, provide much-needed escapism, pushing the realms of our imagination beyond the confines of our homes. They allow the mind to travel to distant places and visit long-lost times, touching the hearts and minds of art and literature enthusiasts.

The pandemic has taken its toll on the global economy, with millions of workers having faced salary cuts, or worse, been made redundant. And in times of financial difficulty, IPAF and other literary awards provide much-needed recognition and monetary relief to writers and artists. The IPAF prize is sponsored by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, which offers generous awards to talented writers. The winner, for instance, receives a cash prize of $50,000 (Dh183,600). The winning book is translated into English, helping to launch Arabic literary gems onto the world stage. Earlier this month, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, another prestigious literary event, announced nine winning authors for 2020. Winners of the nine categories, from different parts of the world, each received a cash prize of $200,000.

Support for the arts, especially in the Arab world where such initiatives are rare, is crucial so that creatives, who have enriched our lives and expanded our horizons, can continue to thrive.