Sheikh Zayed Book Award Marks 20 Years of Legacy

The Sheikh Zayed Book Award turns 20, honoring writers, translators, and scholars while spotlighting Arabic literature and culture on the global stage.

on Aug 18, 2025

Sheikh Zayed Book Award Marks 20 Years of Legacy

The 20th iteration of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, with entry submissions closing on September 1, 2025. What was launched back in 2006 has now evolved to be one of the Arab world's most distinguished literary awards, putting Arabic writing, culture, and thought on a global stage.

In the last twenty years, the prize has done more than dispense awards — it has brought Arab voices to global readers, helped translators, and reopened eternal manuscripts to the discussion. A total of 136 winners in ten categories — from Translation and Arab Culture in Other Languages to Publishing and Technology — have been awarded so far, a majority from outside the region.

In 2018, the Award amplified its impact with its Translation Grant Program, bringing 45 Arabic books new life in nine languages. For authors, this translated to their work being journeyed beyond country for the first time.

With its prize money among the highest in the literary world — 750,000 dirhams for category winners and a whopping one million dirhams for Cultural Personality of the Year — the Award has become a literati dream come true.

With the 20th anniversary looming near, excitement is mounting throughout the literary universe. Scholars, writers, and cultural figures are invited to submit their entries by September 1 — an opportunity to be included in a legacy that continues to influence the international discussion regarding Arabic literature.