Al-Allaq wins the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature

Iraqi poet, literary critic and academic Ali Ja’far al-Allaq has won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for Literature for Ila Ayn Ayyathouha Al Kaseedah, translated to “Whereto, O Poem?” An Autobiography (Alan Publishers & Distributors).

The award recognises outstanding work by authors, scholars, researchers, translators, publishers and literary organisations around the world. It is organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, under the auspices of the Department of Culture & Tourism, Abu Dhabi, and each of the winners is awarded 750,000 UAE dirhams (£165,220).

Each year, an international committee of academics, authors and book industry professionals ensure the award rewards and fosters creativity and originality in both academic and non-academic literature.  

The winning book is described as "an intimate and autobiographical poetic work that offers an insight into the poet and his work, as well as the challenges of the Iraqi and Arab cultural landscape". 

In a year with a record number of over 3,000 submissions from 60 countries, the winners of the six prize categories represent Iraq, France, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt. This year’s list features a range of genres, including poetry, crime fiction, history and linguistics.  

In the Young Author prize category, traditionally dominated by academic works, Algerian fiction writer Said Khatibi is the winner for Nehayat Al Sahra’a, translated to The End of the Desert (Hachette Antoine/Nofal). The book is a work of crime fiction depicting the long-lasting effects of the Algerian War over future generations.

Arabic Culture in Other Languages was awarded to French author Mathieu Tillier for L’invention du cadi. La justice des musulmans, des juifs et des chrétiens aux premiers siècles de l’Islam, which translates to The Invention of the Qadi. The Justice of Muslims, Jews and Christians in the First Centuries of Islam (Éditions de la Sorbonn). Published in the French language, the book examines the evolution of the judicial system during the early Islamic period. 

Tunisian professor Chokri Al Saadi took the Translation award, for the translation from English to Arabic of Expression and Meaning: Studies in the Theory of Speech Acts by the American linguistic philosopher John R Searle (Ministry of Cultural Affairs — Tunisian Institute for Translation). Meanwhile, the award for Literary & Art Criticism was awarded to another Tunisian professor, Jalila Al Tritar, for Mara’i an-Nisaa’: Dirasat fi Kitabat al-That an-Nisaa’iya al-Aarabiya, which translates to Women Views: Studies on Arab Women Self Writings (La Maison Tunisienne Du Livre).

Publishing & Technology was won by independent Egyptian publisher ElAin Publishing, for its "range of literary, academic, and non-fiction titles from all over the Arab world". ElAin has published works by several established authors but is also committed to providing opportunities for young authors.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on the 23rd May. All winning and shortlisted literary titles will also be eligible for translation funding through the award’s ongoing Translation Grant aimed at international publishers. 

Ali bin Tamim, secretary general of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said: “We are delighted to recognise once more the talent of outstanding writers, intellectuals, and publishers enriching Arab cultural, literary and social life. The fact that we have had another record-breaking year of submissions is a testament to the value and prestige that the award holds for authors, publishers and institutions, both regionally and internationally. 

"This year we are particularly pleased to see the exceptional diversity in the list of winners and in the submissions, which have come from 60 different countries. The work of this year’s laureates represents an impressive variety of genres, from poetry to crime fiction, history and linguistics, highlighting how the richness of our language and literature is not just historical legacy, but continues to thrive in the contemporary literary scene.”