DOHA: Atef Abu Saif, a Palestinian writer and journalist living in the Gaza Strip, has been selected as the winner of the Arab Writer’s Residency Programme in London this summer held by Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, and Delfina Foundation have announced.
After careful consideration of more than 150 applications, the panel of judges chose Abu Saif, whose most recent novel made it on the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) 2015 shortlist.
The eight-week residency will provide Abu Saif with the opportunity to research, write and engage with cultural practitioners and creative thinkers.
He will develop work, which will be considered for publication by BQFP in Arabic and English.
BQFP, a collaboration between QF and Bloomsbury Publishing in London, supports QF on its mission to preserve and develop the Arabic language, promoting education and a culture of knowledge-seeking.
The UK-based Delfina Foundation provides residency space in London to develop creative practice for artists, curators, writers, musicians and thinkers.
Born in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza in 1973, Abu Saif teaches political science at University of Al Azhar, Gaza, and regularly writes articles from Gaza for the New York Times, Slate and other major publications.
He has also authored five novels, the most recent of which, A Suspended Life, was shortlisted for the IPAF award in 2015.
The winner of the award will be announced at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in May.
The Peninsula
