The first winner of a new award that celebrates Arabic literature has just been announced:
A $50,000 prize styling itself as the Arabic Booker has been awarded for the first time. At a ceremony in Abu Dhabi last night, the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction went to Egyptian author Baha Taher for his novel Sunset Oasis.
The award, which aims to boost the international profile of literary fiction in Arabic, carries with it prizes of $10,000 for all shortlisted novels, and a further $50,000 for the winner. The victor is also assured of being translated into English.
Authors from 18 Arab countries were considered for the prize, with a total of 122 books submitted. Launched in association with the Booker Prize Foundation, the prize is funded by Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Foundation.
Link to full Guardian article.