Saad Al-Bazei: The Literary Luminary Leading the Golden Pen Award
In a bold move, Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, appointed Saad Al-Bazei as the chairman of the prestigious Golden Pen Award for Most Influential Literature. This award, boasting a total prize pool of $750,000 spread across various categories, seeks to honor outstanding Arabic literary works with potential for cinematic adaptation and original screenplays.
Al-Bazei, an emeritus professor of English language and literature at King Saud University, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. With a career spanning academia, public service, and cultural endeavors, he is well-equipped to steer the Golden Pen Award to new heights.
His impressive resume includes serving on the board of directors of the Ministry of Culture’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission since July 2020. Al-Bazei has left his mark on the cultural and media landscape through roles such as secretary-general of the King Khalid Award, president of the Literary Club in Riyadh, and editor-in-chief of the esteemed publication, Hukul.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Al-Bazei has also held key positions at the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts, Riyadh Daily newspaper, and Ministry of Higher Education, among others. His academic journey has seen him rise through the ranks at King Saud University, where he became a professor in 1998.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Al-Bazei is a prolific writer and translator, with a diverse body of work that includes critical literary studies and cultural translations. His expertise has been recognized internationally through publications in peer-reviewed journals and membership in prestigious organizations such as the Modern Language Association in the US.
A true scholar at heart, Al-Bazei obtained his bachelor’s degree in English from King Saud University in 1974 before pursuing his master’s and Ph.D. in English and American literature from Purdue University in 1978 and 1983, respectively. His dedication to the literary arts and commitment to fostering cultural exchange make him a fitting choice to lead the Golden Pen Award into a new era of literary excellence.