The Ink of Scholars, Like the Ink of Intellectuals, Has a Great Impact on the Path of Palestine

According to the Public Relations of the Global Palestinian Literature Award, Tarad Hamadeh, born in 1948, is a member of the Lebanese Writers Union and a founding trustee of the Al-Quds International Foundation, and holds the vice presidency of the Policy Council of the Global Palestinian Literature Award. This award was established in November 2018 by a collective decision of cultural organizations and writers' and publishers' unions from various countries, and it strives to honor the best published works about Palestine. The second edition of this award was recently held in Baghdad in December 2024. On this occasion, we conducted an interview with Tarad Hamadeh, the Lebanese writer, literary figure, and poet, about this award, which you can read below.

 

Tell us about how you became acquainted with the Global Palestinian Literature Award.

Upon the initiative of a group of writers, poets, publishers' and writers' unions, and intellectuals, a general conference was held in the capital of Iran to examine the establishment of a global literary award that produces literary content about Palestine and encourages writers to address the issue of Palestine. After several days of negotiations, it was agreed and approved to hold this award biennially for literary works in the form of novels, short stories, children's literature, and memoirs. The Supreme Council of the Award and its nine members were selected and appointed, and the council members chose Dr. Mitham Nili as the president, myself as the vice president, and Dr. Mohsen Parviz as the scientific secretary of the award. Agreement was reached on the working method, award dissemination, and all necessary steps, and press conferences were held in Beirut and Damascus to announce the programs, which were met with widespread welcome from literary figures, writers' and publishers' unions, and intellectuals.

 

What is your assessment of the necessity of having a global literary award on the subject of Palestine?

The Palestinian Literature Award speaks of the justice and sanctity of the Palestinian cause and the story of the historical injustice and oppression inflicted upon its people; because the pain is enduring and has never left the global conscience, and Palestine, from the sea to the river, is unforgettable. The goal of the Global Palestinian Literature Award is to recognize the most prominent published literary works on the subject of Palestine, resistance, and Jerusalem, as well as to honor writers and literary figures around the world who have defended Palestine with their pens. Based on this, establishing an award about Palestinian literature and the sacrifices of the Palestinian people and resistance is consistent, and this literature will hold a high status among world literatures.

 

In your opinion, what impact does the Global Palestinian Literature Award have on raising global awareness about the issue of Palestine?

Literary productions influence awareness and the formation of public opinion and also manifest in poetry, novels, stories, and fine arts. One of the important functions of the Global Palestinian Literature Award is to elucidate the truth of the Palestinian cause and also to expose the injustice against the people of this land and strive to expel the occupier and liberate Palestine and restore rights and land to their original owners, through which the world will become more aware via literature.

 

Has the Palestinian Award in your country led to a flourishing of literary productions in the of resistance and Palestine?

Literary productions about Palestine in Lebanon have always been flourishing due to the bond between the two countries; two intimate brothers who share a common history and speak the same language in literature. Lebanon has known and participated in all stages of Palestinian resistance and has made great sacrifices. Most Palestinian intellectuals during the renaissance era studied in Beirut. Ghassan Kanafani wrote his literature in Beirut. Mahmoud Darwish composed his most important poems in Beirut. Beirut is our star and our tent. Lebanese narrative literature revolves around Palestine, and there are many examples of this literary connection. The literature of the poets of the south is a mountain that has a strong connection with Palestine. For this reason, Beirut was the location for announcing the first edition of the Global Palestinian Literature Award.

 

What planning and actions have been taken in your country to promote the production of books on the subject of Palestine?

Lebanon's participation in the Global Palestinian Literature Award was fundamental. We endeavored to connect with writers, literary figures, poets, intellectuals, and authors to participate in the award. Lebanon's participation was significant and notable, and it brought together Lebanon and Palestine abroad. Our work is based on three principles: connection with literary figures and writers, connection with writers' unions, and connection with the publishers' union. Connection with literary and cultural communities and with young writers in universities showed its results in the first period, and subsequently, the participation of youth was evident and tangible.

 

What models and methods exist for creating a movement in book production on a subject like Palestine?

We took action to connect with writers from several Arab and global countries. One cannot set a fixed program for writing; rather, a program must be provided that helps nurture creative capabilities. In line with motivation, printing, and encouragement to translate into other languages, we provide the writer with a platform, promotion, information dissemination, publication, and marketing. Encouraging critical studies is also important. Encouraging the holding of literary criticism sessions, motivating readers, and ensuring the presence of books are essential needs in supporting literary production and strengthening writers' creativity.

 

What are the requirements for the success of a literary award in influencing a global audience?

The identity of this award is global, and it accepts works in all languages. Islamic languages such as Arabic, Persian, and Turkish are the main languages; but translating works into global languages stabilizes the international status of the award. Also, the level of books that receive the award plays a fundamental role in its globalization, and transparency in management, especially in the selection of judging and evaluation committees, is very important. The award gains its global position and respect in this way. We must know that we are not alone in the world of literary awards, and our status must be compared in terms of quality with other awards. This status depends on our ability to follow up and promote, inform, print, translate, and select reputable international judging committees. Also, we must establish principles and rules that give our award a global and international identity.

 

To what extent is this award recognized among countries and nations? What suggestions do you have to strengthen the award and make it more visible and effective?

Despite problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic and also the Gaza war and developments, changes, and communication problems we faced at this stage, organizing the work of the award council and the financial capability and method of its provision are issues that need examination to achieve the goal of globalizing the award and its international status.

 

How important is the narrative of the oppression and epic of the Palestinian people and the injustice and aggression of the Zionist regime alongside the military war of the Mujahideen?

The most important goals of establishing the award are to execute justice regarding Palestine and the oppression of its people, and as we said, this was from the rules of establishing the award and will remain among the goals of producing literature about Palestine. Jihad of explanation in this field is fundamental. The writer resists with his pen for the liberation of Palestine. The ink of scholars, like the ink of intellectuals, has a great impact on the path of Palestine.

 

How do you assess the impact of this award in encouraging writers and publishers to produce books on the subject of Palestine in your country?

The level of Lebanon's participation in this activity depends on the level of participation of Lebanese writers and Palestinians residing in Lebanon. Determining the subjects and the necessity of participation of Lebanese resistance literature, especially in Jabal Amel, relates to the award's subjects. Also, communication methods and the method of accepting award nominees need study. The Al-Aqsa Storm and the aggressive attack on Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran and the great and unprecedented sacrifices we witnessed will create new literature that revolves around Palestine. Alongside what is produced from the literature of sacred defense in Iran, the conditions and unprecedented process of the war will accelerate the production of literature; therefore, I suggest that in the second edition of this award, we go beyond what was announced in the previous program and open the space for participation for the production of new literature and accept works until 2024; because the events of the war have changed the conditions of the previous program in terms of timing.