WATCH | Bodour Al Qasimi makes history for UAE
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi has made history as the first woman from a Gulf state to receive the prestigious BolognaRagazzi Award for Fiction.
The UAE-based publisher and author was recognised for her children’s book House of Wisdom, which was celebrated at a ceremony in the iconic Farnese Chapel at Palazzo d’Accursio in Bologna, Italy.
The book, illustrated by Majid Zakeri Younesi, was praised for its rich storytelling, fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and cultural empathy among young readers. It draws inspiration from the historical House of Wisdom in Baghdad, symbolising intellectual exchange and collaboration across civilisations.
Her win signals a new era of international recognition for Middle Eastern children's literature and highlights the power of stories in bridging cultural divides. Beyond the award, Sheikha Bodour also supported the rebuilding of the Giannino Stoppani Children’s Bookshop after a fire, further demonstrating her commitment to global literary heritage.