Longlists Revealed for Sheikh Zayed Book Award 2025–2026 Edition

Post by : Mara Rahim

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), managed by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has unveiled the longlists for its 20th edition (2025–2026) across three significant categories. The announcement coincides with the initiation of the judging panels' thorough evaluation process for all submitted works. This year's award has garnered considerable global interest, emphasizing its increasing impact within the Arab world and internationally.

For its 20th edition, the SZBA has received over 4,000 submissions from 74 countries, including contributions from 21 Arab countries and 53 others globally, marking it as one of the most internationally representative editions to date. The Literature category led with the largest number of entries, followed by Young Author and Children’s Literature, which continually engage writers and researchers.

Other noteworthy categories include Criticism, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Translation, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, Publishing and Technology, and Cultural Personality of the Year, each highlighting unique facets of cultural and intellectual efforts, thereby enhancing the award’s status as a premier global arena for creativity.

Notably, the longlist for the Translation category features nine books translated to and from Arabic across four major languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and French. Translators from eight nations, including the Netherlands, the UK, Iraq, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria, contributed to these works. The selected titles represent vital cultural exchanges, promoting Arabic literature worldwide while also introducing international authors to Arab audiences.

In the Contribution to the Cultural Development of Nations category, six titles have made the longlist, originating from Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, and Egypt. These works delve into significant issues tied to development, knowledge, modern society, and the pertinent challenges facing contemporary nations. They explore themes that bolster progress, social advancement, and modern state-building, issues that resonate across the region.

The Literary and Art Criticism category's longlist includes 10 books from eight Arab countries: the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. These titles tackle a variety of subjects, including literary theories, philosophical explorations, theatre arts, identity, and cultural critique. The range of these works highlights the rich intellectual diversity present in the region.

Supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the Sheikh Zayed Book Award remains a distinguished cultural honor in the Arab realm. Through its history, it has cultivated a significant global presence by fostering talented writers, translators, and intellectuals. The award plays a crucial role in championing creativity, promoting cultural understanding, and encouraging the exchange of knowledge.

By recognizing these longlisted titles, the SZBA upholds its commitment to bridging cultures, fostering enlightenment, and promoting peace and understanding. This 20th edition echoes the UAE’s dedication to advocating literature, cultural dialogue, and inventive ideas that inspire future generations.