MUSCAT: Omanis on Wednesday hailed writer Jokha Alharthi’s “historical achievement” and praised her for bringing “honor” to their Gulf nation after she became the first Arab author to win the Man Booker International prize.
“It is a huge historic achievement for the author, for Oman and for Arabic culture in general,” said Saif Al-Rahbi, an Omani poet, essayist and writer.
“It shows that Omani literature is moving along,” he told AFP.
Alharthi, 40, received the prestigious prize during a ceremony Tuesday in London for her novel “Celestial Bodies” which depicts life in her small Gulf nation.
The 50,000-pound (57,000 euro, $64,000) Man Booker International prize celebrates translated fiction from around the world and is divided equally between the author and the translator.
The judges said Celestial Bodies was “a richly imagined, engaging and poetic insight into a society in transition and into lives previously obscured.”
It tells the story of three sisters who witness the slow pace of development in Omani society during the 20th century.
“I am thrilled that a window has been opened to the rich Arabic culture,” Alharthi told AFP after the ceremony at the Roundhouse in London.
“Oman inspired me but I think international readers can relate to the human values in the book — freedom and love,” she said.
The jury praised an “elegantly structured and taut” novel which “tells of Oman’s coming-of-age through the prism of one family’s losses and loves.”
The director general of Oman’s culture ministry, Said bin Sultan Al-Bussaidi, agreed.
The novel, he said, shows that Alharthi’s work “reflects maturity and has reached an international level.”
“It is an honor for each and every Omani man and woman... (and the prize) will help spread Omani literature across the world,” he added.
Alharthi is the author of two previous collections of short fiction, a children’s book and three novels in Arabic.
She studied classical Arabic poetry at Edinburgh University and teaches at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat.
In an interview with the BBC at the weekend, Alharthi said she had wanted for a “very long time to write a book about life in Oman (but) couldn’t when she was actually in Oman.”
“But when I went to Edinburgh, the first year was difficult for me, homesickness, cold, so I felt that I need to go back to warmth and feel something from home,” she said.
“Actually writing saved me.”
Her prize-winning novel — which the Guardian newspaper said offers “glimpses into a culture relatively little known in the west” — came out in 2010.
Alharthi said on Tuesday that the novel touches on the history of the slave trade in Oman, an absolute monarchy where Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled since 1970, has been pushing for reform.
For one expert of Arabic and Middle Eastern literature, it could be a game changer for novels emerging from the region.
“It has the potential to orient publishing away from the Arabic novel as answering the question ‘what can we learn about them?’ and toward the Arabic novel as a work of art,” said Marcia Lynx Qualey, editor of ArabLit Quarterly.
“The surge in translation of Arabic-language novels is already in progress, but I think this re-orients publishers somewhat,” she told AFP.
Qualey said there “is definitely a growing interest in works by Gulf authors.”
“In Kuwait, Oman, Saudi, and elsewhere there are authors writing on issues of class, domestic violence, slavery, racism, patriarchy, power, and other issues that are of global interest,” she added.
Celestial Bodies was translated by US academic Marilyn Booth, who teaches Arabic literature at Oxford University.
Jury chair Bettany Hughes said the novel showed “delicate artistry and disturbing aspects of our shared history.”
Omanis praise compatriot for 'historic' Man Booker literature prize
Omanis praise compatriot for 'historic' Man Booker literature prize
FZN and Tresind Studio become first restaurants in Dubai to receive 3 Michelin stars
- They received the coveted classification at the city’s 4th annual Michelin Guide Awards ceremony on Thursday
- 2 venues achieve their first Michelin star: Thai-inspired Manao and Indian restaurant Jamavar; Dubai-born Abhiraj Khatwani of Manao receives Young Chef Award
DUBAI: In a first for Dubai, the Michelin Guide has awarded its highest rating of three stars to not one but two of the city’s restaurants.
European-inspired FZN by Bjorn Frantzen and Indian-South African venue Tresind Studio received the coveted classification at the fourth annual Michelin Guide Awards ceremony on Thursday at the Address Sky View Hotel.
Accepting the award, Indian chef Himanshu Saini, who runs Tresind Studio, said: “Thank you everyone. It is a great honor and pleasure. This has been a marathon for many years. Today, I feel honored to be able to receive the distinctive award.”
A representative of FZN said: “Thank you so much … wow. What a moment, what an achievement. I am speechless but, again, we are representing a strong and talented team that relocated here for the purpose of representing FZN in Dubai and going all in.”
Three restaurants retained their two-star status: Il Ristorante — Niko Romito; Row on 45; and Stay by Yannick Alleno.
Two venues received their first Michelin star: the Thai-inspired Manao, which opened only a few months ago, and Indian restaurant Jamavar.
They join 12 other establishments that retained their one-star rating: 11 Woodfire; Al-Muntaha; Avatara; Dinner by Heston Blumenthal; Hakkasan; Hoseki; La Dame de Pic Dubai; Moonrise; Orfali Bros; Ossiano; Smoked Room; and Tasca by Jose Avillez.
Manao’s Mohammed Orfali, who accepted the award alongside his team, said: “It means a lot. We opened five months ago. It is a different age for the food scene in the city. Now, we take on more responsibility.”
Michelin also added five new restaurants to its Bib Gourmand list: Duo Gastrobar — Creek Harbour; Harummanis; Hawkerboi; Khadak; and Surfret Maryam. The Bib Gourmand section, introduced by Michelin in 1997, shines the spotlight on restaurants offering authentic and memorable culinary experiences at moderate prices, honoring quality and value.
The five new additions join 17 existing venues on the list: 21 Grams; 3Fils; Aamara; Al-Khayma Heritage Restaurant; Bait Maryam’ Berenjak; Duo Gastrobar — Dubai Hills; Goldfish’ Hoe Lee Kow; Indya by Vineet; Kinoya; Konjiki Hototogisu; Reif Japanese Kushiyaki — Dar Wasl; Reif Japanese Kushiyaki — Dubai Hills; Revelry; Shabestan; and Teible.
Three restaurants — Boca, Lowe and Teible — retained their Michelin Green Star awards, in recognition of their commitment to sustainable practices.
In the special awards categories, chef Sin Keun Choi of Ronin was honored with the Opening of the Year Award; chef Shiv Menon of Boca received the Sommelier Award; and the Service Award went to Mohammed Galal of Al-Khayma Heritage Restaurant.
The Young Chef Award went to 30-year-old, Dubai-born Abhiraj Khatwani of Manao, who said: “It does mean a lot. It is not just me, its (an award for) the whole team. Thank you so much for the recognition. We are just new, so its about retaining and sustaining.”
Kneecap describes terror offence charge as ‘political policing’
DUBAI: Northern Irish rap group Kneecap, who recently made headlines for their support for Palestine at California’s Coachella music festival, have described a terror offence charge against one of their members as “political policing.”
“14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us,” the group said in a statement on X on Thursday. “This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story, genocide is.”
On Wednesday, group member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with a terrorism offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in London in November 2024. The rapper performs under the stage name Mo Chara and he is scheduled to appear at Westminster magistrates court on June 18 in London.
The rapper is accused of displaying the flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on Nov. 21, 2024, “in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation,” London’s Metropolitan police said.
The police force’s counter-terrorism command was made aware on April 22 of an online video from the event and then carried out an investigation. After that, the Crown Prosecution Service authorized the charge.
“A charge not serious enough to even warrant their crown court, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury. What’s the objective? To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out,” the band said in a statement this week.
MDLBEAST Brings Guns N’ Roses to Saudi Arabia: A new era for rock music in the Kingdom
RIYADH: MDLBEAST has made headlines by bringing renowned heavy metal and rock bands to Saudi Arabia, including Metallica, Linkin Park and Muse.
This time, they are hosting a May 23 concert featuring Guns N’ Roses, the iconic American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1985. This collaboration is part of the band’s 2025 global tour, which includes stops in the Middle East.
Rayan Al-Rasheed, director of operations and artist booking at MDLBEAST, emphasized the significance of the event: “Saudi Arabia has become a key destination for global music acts. By hosting legendary artists like Guns N’ Roses, we aim to elevate the Kingdom’s presence in the global music scene.”
The introduction of rock music to the Saudi music landscape acknowledges a genre that has long had a strong presence in the country, according to the executive.
“The popularity of bands like Metallica and Linkin Park shows that rock has deep roots here,” Al-Rasheed said.
Local metal brands, such as Heavy Arabia, further validate this influence by showcasing the vibrant regional rock scene.
The anticipation surrounding the Guns N’ Roses concert at Kingdom Arena, which holds about 27,000 people, is immense. “This concert is set to be one of the biggest events we’ve powered to date,” Al-Rasheed said.
Previous events, including concerts at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix featuring artists such as Jennifer Lopez, have drawn large crowds, highlighting the strong fanbase in the Kingdom.
Success for these events is measured not just by ticket sales but by their cultural impact. “Local, regional, and global media coverage reflects the significance of such events,” Al-Rasheed said.
The trend of cultural tourism, with attendees traveling from across Saudi Arabia and beyond, underscores the importance of these concerts.
Live music plays a crucial role in fostering community and cultural exchange. “It brings people together from diverse backgrounds, creating collective experiences that transcend language and borders,” Al-Rasheed said.
Sharp shooting: Highlights from ‘In a New Light,’ the Kingdom Photography Awards exhibit
DUBAI: The exhibition of work by the 30 winners of the Kingdom Photography Awards runs until May 25 at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah
Khaled Khazim Sarai Al-Ghaithi Al-Shammari
‘A Serene Night’
This year’s Kingdom Photography Awards received more than 1,300 entries from Saudi Arabia-based photographers, and a total of more than 6,000 photographs. “Each image submitted reflects a distinct vision — capturing moments that inspire, challenge, and celebrate the richness of human experience,” Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission, writes in the exhibition catalogue. “The remarkable work featured in the exhibition … stands as a testament to what happens when vision meets talent.”
Al-Shammari’s winning image, the photographer writes in the catalogue, shows “Hasalat, located in the southwest of Qassim near Dharya, captured in a serene night where trees stand still beneath the stars.”
Huda Ali Al-Neb
‘Riyadh; Saturated’
Al-Neb won for this image from her series that “playfully explores the beauty and significance of Saudi architecture, a theme that has fascinated me since childhood,” she writes. “In first grade, I learned that the traditional buildings I grew up with were made from mud, and I wondered what they would look like if built with colored sand instead. This series … brings to life those childhood fantasies.” Al-Neb adds that she hopes to expand her project to “showcase historic buildings across Saudi Arabia.”
Marwin Pastores Javier
‘Coffee and Tea’
“Each of the 30 selected photographers reveal the possibilities of the medium, demonstrating its power to inspire, provoke, and inform,” curator Mohamed Somji writes in the exhibition catalogue. “(They) challenge traditional notions of what makes a ‘good’ photograph. (The works are) attentive to the rhythm of places, daily rituals, social habits, and connections between people.” Javier’s winning image shows a roadside vendor of hot beverages in Tabuk.
Mohammed Othman M Alshahrani
‘An Evening of Baloot’
Alshahrani’s winning image, shot in the town of Bisha in Asir, shows the photographer’s father, uncles, brothers and cousins playing the popular trick card game Baloot, which, Alshahrani says in his artist’s statement, is “a tradition in many homes and gatherings, sparking lively competition and bonding.”
Kawthar Ali Ibrahim Alghasham
‘A Moment of Waiting’
The images in the exhibition, curator Mohamed Somji writes, “reveal character through subtle interactions, glimpsing personal, spiritual, and familial reflections, or showing known scenes from unexpected angles.” Alghasham’s winning image is an example of the latter. “As sunlight floods King Fahd Airport’s lounge, a solitary man’s pause defies the frenetic nature of travel,” Alghasham writes in his artist’s statement.
Salman Fahad Alanazi
‘After the Storm, 2030’
Alanazi’s dramatic image of a sandstorm hitting Saudi Arabia’s capital was taken before the launch of Saudi Vision 2030. Since then, he says, “with major projects like the Riyadh Green Project, which reduced dust in the city, alongside the creation and planting of nature reserves,” no similar “Hollywood-like dust wave” has been seen in Riyadh.
Live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ made with ‘love and authenticity,’ says producer
DUBAI: The beloved Disney animated classic “Lilo & Stitch” — about a six-year-old orphaned Hawaiian girl and her troublemaking alien pet — is set to captivate audiences once again with a live-action adaptation released this week.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp and producer Jonathan Eirich are both driven by a deep love for the original film, released in 2002.
“It’s always been my favorite animated Disney movie,” Fleischer Camp revealed to Arab News. “I saw it when it came out and immediately fell in love with it, like so many people did.”
Eirich described signing on Fleischer Camp as “kismet,” adding, “It really is about finding storytellers that are fans of the original, that can honor it so every single choice along the way is going to be made with love and authenticity. If you do that right, and make the thing that you love, then hopefully the audience will feel the same.”
Eirich noted the growing nostalgia surrounding Stitch, observing how the character has been increasingly appearing in popular culture.
“We started seeing backpacks and merchandise everywhere,” he explained. “It felt like the right moment to revisit this story, but we knew we had to get it right. We asked ourselves what elements fans would be upset about losing.” This philosophy guided the creative process, ensuring the film would feel both familiar and fresh.
Certain iconic moments from the animated version were non-negotiable. The hammock scene with Lilo’s older sister Nani singing and the final beach scene were particularly important.
“The scene when Nani sings ‘Aloha Hawaii’ was a real tearjerker in the original, and it’s a beautiful moment. But it also seems like, with a live-action adaptation, there’s an opportunity to kind of deepen it and really make it something new, while also capturing the beautiful spirit of that scene,” said Fleischer Camp.
For Eirich, Stitch’s famous quote about finding his own ‘family’ was a clear keeper.
“The line ‘Broken but still good’ had to be in there,” he said. “It’s the heart of the story.”
