The 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Prize, which recognizes literary and academic works on or written in Arabic culture, is open for nominations until 1 September, as well as the work of institutions or personalities contributing to the dissemination of this culture.
The prizes are awarded by an independent jury to authors, translators, editors and organisations from all over the world.
Each winner will receive approximately €179,160 (750,000 UAE dirhams) to support their career. The 2025 winners include not only literary figures such as Hoda Barakat and Haruki Murakami, but also academics like Britain’s Andrew Peacock. In 2024, the Spanish institution Casa Árabe won the prestigious Cultural Personality of the Year category.
The Prize comprises ten categories, of which five are open to international candidates and books in non-Arab languages:
– Arabic culture in other languages (works published in the last five years).
– Translation (from Arabic): translations of works of any kind published in the last two years.
– Edition of Arabic manuscripts: academic works published in the last five years on the subject of the edition of Arabic manuscripts, including the publication of lexicons.
– Publishing and technology: for publishers, distributors, research entities and cultural institutions that promote Arab culture.
– Cultural Personality of the Year: by nomination by academic, research or cultural institutions, cultural figures and literary bodies and universities.
This edition commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Prize and will be accompanied by a programme of international events to celebrate the first two decades of its cultural legacy.
