News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – Casa Árabe, a prominent institution based in Spain dedicated to bridging Arab and Spanish cultures, has been named the Cultural Personality of the Year by the prestigious Sheikh Zayed Book Award for its 18th edition. The award, presented under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, recognizes Casa Árabe’s remarkable achievements in advancing Arabic language and culture throughout Europe and Latin America.
The unanimous decision by the Award’s Board of Trustees and Scientific Committee highlights Casa Árabe’s success in fostering cross-cultural dialogue and creating a vibrant hub for literature, culture, and thought between the Arab world and Spain. Over its 16-year existence, the institution has welcomed numerous Arab writers, artists, and thinkers, engaging with Spanish Arabists in an environment grounded in principles of tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi, praised the Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s crucial role in promoting Arab cultural heritage and facilitating cross-cultural exchange worldwide, a mission shared by Casa Árabe. He commended the organization’s efforts in bridging cultural distances, becoming a national reference for teaching Arabic, and introducing Arab heritage and its influence on civilization to new audiences.
Casa Árabe serves as a strategic center for Spain’s relations with the Arab world, fostering collaboration and exchange among intellectuals, writers, translators, artists, and students from various backgrounds. Through its social, cultural, educational, and economic activities, the institution raises awareness of the cultural diversity of the Arab world and promotes intercultural communication.
The winners of the 18th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, including Casa Árabe as the Cultural Personality of the Year, will be honored at a ceremony hosted by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre in conjunction with the 33rd Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
