AN IRAQI writer has won the Edinburgh International Book Festival's First Book award.
Shahad Al Rawi has won the prize for her acclaimed debut, The Baghdad Clock.
The novel was shortlisted for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2018 and topped the bestseller lists in Iraq, Dubai and UAE, was translated by Luke Leafgren and published by Oneworld.
The award is voted for by readers and visitors to the festival.
It was chosen from the 49 debut novels and short story collections for adults and young adults eligible for the award this year.
Shahad Al Rawi, who appeared at the festival in August, was born in Baghdad in 1986.
She attended secondary school in Baghdad before moving with her family to Syria and now lives in Dubai where she is currently studying for a PhD in Anthropology.
She said: "I’m very proud for two reasons; first because this prize came from the Edinburgh International Book Festival itself.
"Secondly, because the competition was extremely strong and the books drew on so many different subjects.
"I want to thank my readers from all around the world for choosing my novel. In addition, I’d especially like to thank Oneworld for taking so much care with The Baghdad Clock, translating and publishing it in English."
Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, said “To tell stories is a fundamental part of the human condition. Even in extreme situations like the one portrayed in Shahad’s novel, it’s stories that keep people going. Maybe that’s why her novel is so affecting and so powerful."
The Baghdad Clock is set in 1991 in the midst of the Gulf War, as a young Iraqi girl huddles with her neighbours in an air raid shelter.
www.edbookfest.co.uk.
THE Dunedin Consort is to boost Sistema Scotland, the charity that runs the Big Noise orchestras, as part of the forthcoming Fair Saturday events.
Launched as a counter-initiative to the ‘Black Friday’ sales, in Spain, Fair Saturday to "reposition culture and the arts at the centre of society."
In Scotland, St Andrews Fair Saturday will be celebrated on Saturday 1 December.
Dunedin Consort will host the opening event on the eve of St Andrews Fair Saturday, with a
performance of The Golden Age at Edinburgh’s Canongate Kirk on 30 November at 7.30pm.
On Saturday 1 December, Dunedin Consort will present a second performance at Dunkeld Cathedral at 7.30pm.
All participating cultural organisations are encouraged to select a charity to support as part of the
Fair Saturday initiative and Dunedin Consort has chosen Sistema Scotland.
Alfonso Leal del Ojo, Chief Executive of Dunedin Consort, said: "Sistema Scotland was a natural choice for us and we are thrilled to be supporting their work
through these performances.
"Their work with children and young people in disadvantaged communities is inspiring and really has changed the lives of many over their 10-year history,
fostering confidence, pride and aspiration through music participation. It is an ambition we fully support and which mirrors our own values here at Dunedin Consort."
Dunedin Consort recently announced a new branch to its own education and outreach programme
– Bridging the Gap – designed to support young musicians as they begin professional careers.
A collection for Sistema Scotland will be held at both events.
www.dunedin-consort.org.uk
THE Sound festival in the north east of Scotland is to hear eight world premieres this weekend.
On Saturday lunchtime Sally Beamish will play the viola for the first time in many years for the world premiere of her new piece, A Farewell for Six Violas, which was commissioned by Sound, to complement a performance of Garth Knox’s Ockeghem Fantasy for viola d’amore and five violas.
On Saturday evening Ensemble Klang will will premiere John De Simone’s final commission as sound’s composer in residence.
Making its debut on Saturday afternoon is one of two new Aberdeen music ensembles that have been set up in recent months: Any Enemy.
They will give the world premieres of new pieces by Gemma McGregor and Rose Dodd.
This concert will be preceded by a performance by soprano Jillian Bain with Scott Dickinson (viola) and Catherine Herriott (piano) that features a further four world premieres.
www.sound-scotland.co.uk
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