Saturday, May 6, at the Théâtre de la Ville de Tunis, it was the rush to the (Comar) d’Or. 24 novels in French and 37 in Arabic were in the running for this 27th edition. Six works have been awarded.
First prizes: “Siqal, the lair of the ogress” by Mouha Harmel and “Jebel Jloud” by Taoufik Aloui
Three award -winning novelists
True to its vocation to encourage Tunisian writers and publishers and promote the book, Comar Assurances celebrates this year the 27th edition of its literary awards.
The record was unveiled during a romantic ceremony hosted by Hamza Belloumi and organized at the Théâtre de la Ville de Tunis, Saturday, May 6, in the presence of the chairman of the board of directors of Comar and Hayet, Slaheddine Ladjimi.
After a charming musical prelude, provided by singer Asma Ben Ahmed, the microphone was given to Ridha Kefi and Mohamed Elkadhi, presidents respective of French and Arabic juries to reveal the names of the winners.
The Comar d’Or in French was awarded to “Siqal, L’Antre de l’Ogresse” by Mouha Harmel, and in the Arabic language, to “Jbel Jloud” by Taoufik Aloui.
The discovery prize of the novel in French was awarded to Meryem Sellami for “I jealous of the southern breeze on your face” (éd. Ceres). This young author is distinguished again with her novel published in 2022, which recently had the Roman Prize for the 37th International Book Fair of Tunis, ex AEQUO, with a novel in Arabic “Zoul Allah” by Nizar Chakroun (Meskiliani Editions).
The discovery price of the novel in Arabic returned to Rafika Bhouri for “Zaman Al Hathayan” (literally “the time of delirium”) published by Mohamed Ali Editions.
The special prize for the jury of novels in French and Arabic was awarded, respectively to Fadhila Laouani for “the coronation of fools” (Mediterranean lights) and Sofien Ben Rejeb for “Al Yaouma Jomaa wa Ghadan Khamis” (literally “today Friday and tomorrow Thursday”) published by Arcadia Editions.
The Organizing Committee for Comar d’Or 2023 literary prizes was chaired by Lotfi Belhaj Kacem. The winning works in the two competitions were selected from 37 novels in Arabic and 24 novels in French. The works selected are published during the period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
Saturday was the festival of the Tunisian novel and a call to writers not to give up, and continue to sharpen their feathers.
Track record
Comar d’Or
In French: “Siqal, L’Antre de l’Ogresse” by Mouha Harmel- Editions Demeter
In Arabic: “Jebel Jloud” by Taoufik Aloui – Edition Dar Mohamed Ali
Special jury prize
In French: “The coronation of fools” by Fadhila Laouani- Editions Plumes
In Arabic: “اليوم جمعة و غداً خميس” (today it’s Friday and tomorrow it’s Thursday), Sofiène Rejeb – Arcadia edition
Discovery price
In French: “I jealous of the southern breeze on your face” of Meryem Sellami- Cere Editions
In Arabic: “Zamen El Hadhayen” by Rafika Bhouri – Dar Mohamed Ali Edition
Jihene Salhi
