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Egyptian Novelist Alaa Al-Aswany Receives One Of France's Most Prestigious Awards

The internationally-lauded novelist behind the highly acclaimed Omaret Yacoubian was granted one of the top French awards on Monday for his work,

Staff Writer

Prominent Egyptian novelist, Alaa Al-Aswany, was awarded the "Médaille de Chevalier des Arts et Lettres" (the knight medal of Arts and Literature) on Monday, according to Egypt Independent. He was granted the award by the French ambassador to Egypt, André Parant, at a lavish ceremony attended by various notable artists. 

The award is considered one of the most prestigious in France, only given to world writers whose work has had a certain influence on the French people and is considered an addition to the global culture. Publishers, writers, musicians, journalists and a wide range of intellectuals attended the party on Monday where Aswany, the author of the beloved Omaret Yacoubian novel, received the award.

"A writer's feeling of being appreciated is the reward for writing, so I live now a moment of great pleasure. Getting this great honour is my reward for long years of strenuous work and difficult struggle in writing. This award will continue to be a source of honour and pride for me," Aswany reportedly said during his prize acceptance speech.