BOLOGNA: Emirati publisher and advocate Bodour Al Qasimi has become the first woman from the GCC to win the BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction for her children’s book, House of Wisdom. The prestigious honour was presented at Bologna’s Farnese Chapel in Palazzo d’Accursio.
Reflecting on the recognition, Sheikha Bodour highlighted the award’s significance for diversity in children’s publishing. “This award signals a shift towards a more inclusive sector. Amid global tensions, stories like House of Wisdom show how books can unite cultures and foster deeper understanding,” she said.
The book, inspired by the historic House of Wisdom library, explores knowledge-sharing across cultures and its relevance today. “Its loss in 1258 is a tragic allegory for the fragility of intellectual freedom – a lesson of undiminished relevance,” she noted.
Illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, the book has been praised for its engaging storytelling, fostering curiosity and critical thinking. Although unable to attend, Younesi expressed his gratitude: “Working on House of Wisdom was a unique opportunity to visually capture the spirit of curiosity and innovation.”
Following the award ceremony, Sheikha Bodour joined a panel discussion with fellow winners and later attended a reception at Kalimat Group’s stand, where she shared insights on preserving cultural legacies through storytelling.
Ahead of the event, she also signed copies of her book at Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop, which she helped restore after a fire in 2022, using funds from the Sharjah World Book Capital Office.
