Sheikh Zayed Book Award Celebrates 20 Years of Literary Excellence

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) has revealed its winners for the significant 20th edition (2025–2026). This anniversary celebrates two decades of profound contributions to culture since the award's founding in 2006.

Initiated by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, a division of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the award reinforces its stature as an essential global hub for knowledge, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Celebrating Two Decades of Cultural Influence

Over the past 20 years, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has established itself among the most esteemed literary prizes worldwide. It has garnered over 33,000 submissions from nearly 80 nations and honored 136 laureates, comprising authors, scholars, and cultural institutions.

The award now encompasses ten categories, including literature, translation, criticism, children's literature, and various cultural contributions, showcasing its broadening influence and reach.

Since 2018, the award has contributed to the translation of 50 Arabic works into 12 different languages, ensuring that Arabic literature can interact with wider global audiences and promote cross-cultural dialogue.

Thorough Evaluation Process

Winners undergo a meticulous selection process founded on rigorous criteria such as originality, artistic merit, academic rigor, and substantial contributions to knowledge.

This transparent methodology guarantees the highest integrity standards while reinforcing the award's global reputation.

Winners for 2025–2026 Across Multiple Categories

This year’s honorees come from a rich array of cultural backgrounds, including Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Germany, Jordan, and the UAE.

• Literature: Ashraf Elashmawy (Egypt) for Births in the Zoo, a novel that delves into social and psychological changes in contemporary Egypt.

• Young Author: Mustapha Rajouane (Morocco) for his analytical exploration of narrative structures in Arabic novels.

• Translation: Nawal Nasrallah (Iraq/USA) for translating a 13th-century Arabic culinary text into English.

• Literary & Art Criticism: Zuhair Tawfiq (Jordan) for his examination of cultural stereotypes between East and West.

• Arab Culture in Other Languages: Stefan Weidner (Germany) for a significant anthology of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry in German.

• Publishing & Technology: Emirates Literature Foundation for its efforts in enhancing reading culture and global literary involvement.

• Manuscripts & Encyclopaedias: Prof. Dr Mohamed Elkhosht (Egypt) for his in-depth Encyclopaedia of World Religions.

Cultural Personality of the Year Award

The notable Cultural Personality of the Year accolade was awarded to iconic Egyptian singer Nagat Al Saghira. Renowned for her unparalleled voice and moving performances, she has been instrumental in preserving and promoting classical Arabic music.

Recognition and Ceremony

The awardees will be celebrated at an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi.

• The Cultural Personality of the Year receives AED 1 million.

• Winners in additional categories receive AED 750,000 each, alongside a gold medal and certificate of merit.

In honor of its two-decade milestone, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award will host a series of international cultural events throughout 2026, aiming to highlight its legacy and further advance Arabic literature on global platforms.

Having attracted over 4,000 nominations from 74 countries in this edition alone, the award solidifies its role as a dynamic channel for creativity, knowledge sharing, and cultural discussions globally.

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