Art & Culture

In an orange-themed emotional ceremony, the third Annual SASA Setton Children's Literature Award, was dedicated to Ariel and Kfir Bibas, the last remaining children held hostage by Hamas in Gaza

Ofri Bibas: "One of Ariel's favorite books as of late, is 'who wants a piggyback' by David Grossman. The moments reflected in the story, are little vignettes of father and son. Daily, routine moments. These simple moments, described in the book, are little moments that are daily reminders of their absence, they elicit deep longing for them. Ariel and Kfir have become symbols, but for us, they are firstly our family – and our family is incomplete. They must return – now! Time is running out."

Yesterday, December 27, 2023, the SASA Setton Children's Literature Award ceremony, held in Tel Aviv for the third consecutive year, was dedicated to Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who are still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The event was held in the presence of the Setton family's representative, Mrs. Sonia Gomes de Mesquita, the extended Bibas family, Israeli singer Yuval Dayan, author Lihi Lapid and other high-profile guests. The goal of the award is to support local literature and promote children's book creativity. The award is given to authors and illustrators who have positively contributed to the Israeli culture.

The event culminated with the release of 500 orange balloons. SASA Setton Organization decided to dedicate the only children's literary award in Israel to Ariel and Kfir, and as a homage to their fiery ginger hair, the event was entirely orange. The Bibas children are the only remaining minors in Hamas captivity, and the award intended to bring awareness to the return of all the hostages home. The best children's book for 2023 was "Shoshana the bored trash bug" from Agam publishing house, written and illustrated by Orit Bergman, who received a 35,000 NIS prize. Esteemed Author and Editor Yona Tepper was selected to receive the SASA Setton lifetime award and received a prize of 25,000 NIS. This year, a new category was introduced, for creative illustration. The winner was Nathalie Belhassen, who received a 25,000 NIS prize for her book "In Blanket Land" from Keter/Knafaim Publishing house. 

Since the war started, Israel's culture sector was brought to a halt. Therefore, the Setton Family representative, Mrs. Sonia Gomes de Mesquita, through SASA Setton, chose to dedicate the award to raising awareness for the ginger kids Ariel (4) and Kfir (11 months) who are still held by Hamas with their parents, while also invigorating this sector. SASA Setton organization promotes education for hospitalized children in all 41 schools within hospitals across the country, for over a decade. The SASA Setton prize was created by Mrs. Hilda Setton to commemorate her late husband, Philippe Setton Z"L. 

In addition to the awards, previous SASA Setton Lifetime award recipient, the author Galila Ron-Feder Amit, presented her project based on her beloved redhead protagonist, "from Gingi to gingers' – where the leader of the group resigned to allow Ariel to take his place, and for Kfir to serve as his deputy.  Israeli singer Yuval Dayan accompanied the balloon flying ceremony alongside the extended Bibas family with two of her songs.

The award selection committee included Chairman Adi Rubinstein, a culture affairs journalist, Lihi Lapid, author and lecturer, Prof. Shai Rudin, a researcher and lecturer for children's literature in Gordon Academy, and Tal Marlmelshtein, editor of Israel Hayom's weekend magazine. 

Sonia Gomes de Mesquita, the donor family's representative: "This is the third year we have held the SASA Setton Children's Literature Award, and it was clear to us we had to connect the story of the Ariel and Kfir, the beloved redheads to our award. Our goal was to raise awareness for the campaign to return them home as soon as possible. SASA Setton is proud to promote the field of Israeli children's literature. We congratulate our winners: continue your important work in promoting Israeli creativity and literature. We can't wait to see the Bibas family, and all the hostages, return home safely. “

Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas: "One of Ariel's favorite books as of late, is 'who wants a piggyback' by David Grossman. The moments reflected in the story, are little vignettes of father and son. Daily, routine moments. It's been 80 days, without Ariel, Kfir, Yarden and Shiri.  80 days without a book before bedtime, playing with dad, a kiss to Kfir and a hug to mommy before crawling into bed. These simple moments, described in the book, are little moments that are daily reminders of their absence, they elicit deep longing for them. Ariel and Kfir have become symbols, but for us, they are firstly our family – and our family is incomplete. We want them home with us, to hug, console, love, restore. They must return – now! Time is running out."