CDG Foundation: Sponsorship of 2014 Argana International Poetry Prize
The CDG Foundation has sponsored the annual Argana International Poetry Prize since 2008. The Prize is awarded in recognition of the contributions by poets of various nationalities, and the CDG Foundation took part in the award ceremony on Saturday 14 February 2015 that was part of the 21st Salon International de l’Edition et du Livre de Casablanca (Casablanca International Publishing and Book Fair, SIEL).
A panel of judges made up of critic Abderrahman Tankoul, poet Hassan Najmi, Najib Khoudari, Rachid Moumni and Khalid Rissouni, with Moroccan poet Hassan Mekouar as Chairman, awarded the 2014 Argana International Poetry Prize to Portuguese poet Nuno Judice. Mr. Judice, who was present in person at the award ceremony, gave a heartfelt speech expressing his pride in receiving the Prize in Morocco and stressing the value of such events as catalysts for bringing cultures together, in this particular case the inextricably intertwined cultures of Morocco and Portugal.
For their part, Mohamed Amine Sbihi, the Minister of Culture, and Najib Khoudari, Chairman of the Maison de la Poésie (Poetry Centre) pointed to the simple and enlightened poetic style employed by Mr. Judice, who is outstanding not only for the depth of his contribution but also for his continuing activism in favour of poetic creation. Ms. Dina NACIRI, Director-General of the Fondation CDG, also took the floor to highlight the role of the Foundation, Official Sponsor of the Argana Prize, in promoting Moroccan literature and culture generally.