Cairo, January 8 (Reuters) - The Sawiris Cultural Award in Egypt announced on Thursday the winners of its 21st edition, which in the field of fiction went to writer Ahmed Abdel Latif for (The Ages of Daniel in the City of Threads), published by Dar Al-Ain Publishing.

The award in the field of short stories was won by Alfat Atef for the short story collection (Sons of the Gazelle) published by Dar Al-Hala Publishing and Distribution.

In the Young Writers Novel category, Walid Makki won the prize for his novel (Suakin Al-Oula) published by Dar Al-Ain Publishing, while Maryam Al-Ajami came in second place for her novel (Surat Maryam) published by the Egyptian General Book Authority.

In the Youth Writers Short Story category, the judging panel withheld the first prize, while Nasma Awda won second place for her short story collection (Tame Mice) published by Dar Al-Muharrir.

In the Literary Criticism and Narratives Competition, the prize was shared equally between Fimoni Okasha for her book (Al-Khawaja) published by Dar Al-Shorouk, and Muhammad Abdul Basit Eid for his book (Khiba’ Al-Naqd Wal-Shi’r) published by Dar Al-Ain Publishing.

In the competition for the best children’s book under 12 years old, Reham Shindy won the prize for the book (Lara the Mouse and Her Neighbors in the Building) published by Asfoura Publishing House, and Ahmed Al-Fakhrani came in second place for the book (When Laughter Disappeared from the World) published by Marah Children’s Books House.

Al-Fakhrani, who previously won the Sawiris Culture Award for Young Writers in 2021, told Reuters today, "I have had previous attempts at writing for children, but I feel this is my first real experience, and the award will certainly encourage me more in this type of writing."

He added, "I write what I wished I had read as a child. I tend to write imaginatively rather than in a patronizing and directive manner."

In the screenplay category, the award for best screenplay written directly for cinema was won by (The Faraway Land) by writers Nadine Salib and Abdullah Al-Ghali.

In the theater category, Khaled Raslan won the award for best play script for his script (Refugee Number One), while Hani Mehran won second place for his script (Founder Marker).

Dar Al Ain Publishing House won the award for best publishing house for this session after its publications received the largest number of Sawiris Cultural Awards.

Mohamed Abu El-Ghar, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Cultural Award, said that "the award grows in importance and firmness every year," noting that its unwritten motto is "freedom and competition."

He added that the total number of works nominated across all branches was huge, amounting to 650 works.

(Press coverage for the Arabic bulletin by Sameh Al-Khatib - Edited by Muath Abdulaziz)