Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), run by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has announced the longlisted books for three major categories in its 20th edition (2025–2026). The longlists were released as the judging panels started their detailed evaluation of all entries. This year’s award cycle has received huge global attention, showing the award’s growing influence in the Arab world and beyond.
For the 20th edition, the SZBA received more than 4,000 submissions from 74 countries across the world. This includes 21 Arab countries and 53 countries from other regions, making it one of the most internationally diverse editions ever. The highest number of entries came in the Literature category, followed by Young Author and Children’s Literature. These categories continue to attract strong participation from writers and researchers each year.
Other categories with notable participation 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 category reflects a different aspect of cultural and intellectual work, strengthening the award’s reputation as a global platform for creativity.
The longlist for the Translation category includes nine books translated to and from Arabic in four major languages: English, Italian, Spanish, and French. These works have been produced by translators from eight countries, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Italy, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria. The selected titles highlight meaningful cultural exchange and help bring Arabic literature to the world while also introducing international works to Arab readers.
In the Contribution to the Cultural Development of Nations category, six titles have been longlisted. These submissions come from Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, and Egypt. The books in this category explore important subjects related to development, knowledge, modern societies, and the challenges facing today’s nations. They discuss ideas that support progress, social growth, and modern state-building — themes that are important for the entire region.
The longlist for the Literary and Art Criticism category includes 10 books from eight different Arab Countries: the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. These works address a wide range of topics such as literary theories, philosophical studies, theatre arts, identity issues, and cultural analysis. The broad scope of these works shows the diversity of intellectual thought in the region.
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award, supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), continues to be one of the most respected cultural honors in the Arab world. Over the years, it has gained a strong global presence by encouraging talented writers, translators, and thinkers. The award plays an important role in promoting creativity, supporting cultural understanding, and strengthening knowledge exchange.
By celebrating these longlisted books, the SZBA continues its mission of building bridges between cultures, promoting enlightenment, and encouraging peace and understanding. The 20th edition reflects the UAE’s vision of supporting literature, cultural dialogue, and innovative ideas that inspire future generations.
English
