Egyptian artist Nagat El-Saghira received the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in the Cultural Personality of the Year category during the 36th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, making her the first artist to receive the title since the award was launched. In a recorded message for the occasion, 88-year-old Nagat expressed her happiness at the honour.
The award praises Nagat’s career and influence
She said her career included songs and poems that helped spread the Arabic language and its culture. Ali bin Tamim, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and secretary-general of the award, said Nagat was chosen in recognition of her artistic career and influence on Arab singing and culture, noting her attention to words, poetry and the Arabic poem.
Nagat El-Saghira
Egyptian artist and singer
- 2024
Return to public appearances
Nagat returned to public appearances in 2024 after a long absence, when she took part in the Joy Awards ceremony in Riyadh and received a lifetime achievement award for her artistic career. She performed the song “Oyoun al-Qalb” at the ceremony using playback technology. Nagat was born in 1938 and began her artistic career at an early age before making her film debut in “Hadiya” in 1947.
- Late 1940s
Career continuation
Her career extended from the late 1940s to the beginning of the new millennium. During that period, she also worked with Nizar Qabbani, Mamoun El-Shennawi, Abdel Rahman El-Abnoudi and Mahmoud El-Sharif. She appeared in several films, including “The Black Candles,” “My Dear Daughter” and “The Merry Beach.”
- Mid-1970s
Final film role
“The Tears Dried” was her final film in the mid-1970s, after which she stepped away from acting and devoted herself to singing. During her career, Nagat received medals and honours, including a medal from late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, another from late Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba, and the Order of Independence, First Class, from late Jordanian King Hussein bin Talal.
