An Algerian national, Sarah Ben Ammar, has been awarded the title of ‘Public Reader of the Year’ at the 10th annual ‘Iqraa’ (Read) Festival held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The event, organized by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), saw Ben Ammar emerge victorious after a rigorous competition.
The final stage of the competition comprised three challenging segments designed to test the participants’ literary skills. These included: Personal Written Presentations, where each contestant presented an original piece of writing on a subject of their choice, demonstrating their linguistic richness and intellectual depth, while emphasizing the importance of reading as a source of inspiration and knowledge.
Another segment was a Debate focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence on creative writing. Ben Ammar was part of the team arguing in favor of AI’s positive aspects, discussing technical risks versus the unique human element in literature. The audience ultimately favored the team that Ben Ammar was on.
The final segment consisted of Questions from the Judging Panel, testing the contestants’ analytical depth and quick thinking in addressing various issues.
While Libyan contestant Nisreen Abuloiqa won the overall title of ‘Reader of the Year,’ Sarah Ben Ammar secured the ‘Public Reader of the Year’ award, winning over the audience with her talent and charm. The festival saw a large turnout of individuals interested in cultural and literary affairs. The event concluded its exceptional edition, highlighting a new generation of talented Arab individuals capable of excelling in international cultural arenas.
