The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) has announced the longlisted titles in three key categories for its landmark 20th edition, kicking off the judging process for the 2025-2026 cycle. The award, administered by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), this year drew a record-breaking pool of over 4,000 submissions from 74 nations.
The Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, and Literary and Art Criticism categories mark the first longlists to be unveiled. Submissions spanned 21 Arab countries and 53 nations worldwide, with the Literature category attracting the most entries, followed closely by Young Author and Children’s Literature.
A Snapshot of the Longlists:
- Translation: Nine works made the list, representing translations between Arabic and four other languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and French. The translators hail from eight countries across Europe and the Arab world.
- Contribution to the Development of Nations: Six titles from Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, and Egypt were selected. The longlisted works critically examine intellectual and knowledge-based issues linked to development and the structure of the modern state.
- Literary and Art Criticism: Ten titles from eight Arab nations advanced. The selection covers a diverse range of scholarly topics, from traditional literary criticism and philosophy to theatre arts and identity studies.
Established under the patronage of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has cemented its status as one of the Arab world’s preeminent literary prizes. By honouring creative thinkers and supporting translation and authorship, the award continues to promote cross-cultural dialogue, reflecting the UAE’s broader vision of fostering tolerance, enlightenment, and peace.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Editorial Staff)
