Given the current circumstances, and in solidarity with the people of southern Lebanon and Gaza, the awards were announced at the Foundation's offices in Beirut, far from any celebrations, as Mary Boghossian Salamé, Director of the Foundation in Beirut, explained.
In the Visual Arts category, Ahmad Ghaddar, who also goes by the name Renoz, won the prize. The 29-year-old Lebanese university graduate has taken part in several exhibitions in Beirut and other European cities.
In the literature category, the Youth Prize (for 8-12 year-olds) went to author Antoine Chartouni for his book in Arabic Un renard dans la maison, while a special prize was awarded to the book's illustrator, Abd el-Razzak al-Salhani. The Manuscript Prize (for 13-15 year-olds) went to Jana Slayka for her Arabic book La mer me parle parfois.
The Cinéma Coup de Coeur prize went to young filmmaker Omar Gabriel for his documentary film L'album d'Omar. The prize was presented by producer Cyril Bassil, who was present at the awards ceremony.
The winners receive $5,000 (visual arts), $4,500 (children's literature, manuscripts and illustration) and $10,000 (film) and are invited to stay at the Foundation's Villa Empain artists' residence in Brussels.