Doha: The 11th Katara Prize for Arabic Novel, organized by the Cultural Village- Katara, continued Saturday in full swing with an outstanding panel discussion on the novel through darkened lenses.
The session was presented by Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Center for the Blind, Khaloud Hamad, and moderated by Head of the Cultural Literature Department at Katara, Mohammed Al Shahwani.
Hamad stated that the panel is not merely about the loss of sight, but rather a different form of perception, asserting that writing represents an enduring light that cannot be extinguished.
The discussion explored several critical dimensions, beginning with an introduction to the world of the novel and the rationale for writing, followed by an examination of the distinctions between novels, short stories, and vignettes.
It further delved into the contrast between writing by the sighted and writing by the blind, highlighting that differences lie in perception, not capability.
The session then addressed the experiences of blind Arab novelists, featuring figures such as Khalil Mohammed Ibrahim from Iraq, author of State of Beggars (2014), Abdulhamid Younis from Egypt, known for his works in folklore and oral storytelling, and Taha Hussein from Egypt, whose seminal works The Days and The Call of the Curlew serve as foundational historical models.
The boys' novel and fine arts workshop concluded today at the Arabic Novel Library at Katara, with Director of the Library, Khalid Al Mohannadi, distributing certificates of appreciation to the participants. The workshop was conducted over two days by trainer Ilham Mujahid Al Amiri.
Furthermore, a two-day theatrical performance on the novel in puppet theater was held. It was a documentary piece adapted from the novel, The Handkerchief Seller, which won the Katara Arabic novel award in the boys' novel category by the Egyptian novelist Ahmed Tousson.
The script and dialogues of the performance were written by Qais Al Kanzari, Playwright and Artist, while Fatima Al Shrouqi, Artist and Musician, handled the editing and musical recording.
As part of the 2025 Katara Prize for Arabic Novel festival, a symposium entitled Narratives of Heritage in Arabic Novels was held, featuring presentations by Dr. Youssef Al Idrissi, academic and literary critic, and Dr. Ali Fathallah, academic and researcher, with the session expertly moderated by media personality and novelist Mohammed Daho.
The event affirmed that the Arabic novel, in its forms, genres, and historical development, has drawn sustenance from numerous tributaries that endowed Arabic narrative with its distinctive essence, with heritage standing out among the most significant of these influences.
