The Sheikh Zayed Book Award celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of excellence in literature, culture, and knowledge. Established to honor the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, the award has become one of the most respected and influential literary prizes in the Arab world and beyond.
This year, the award achieved a historic milestone by receiving more than 4,000 submissions from 74 countries, reflecting its international stature and growing appeal across linguistic and cultural borders. What began as a regional initiative to recognize contributions to Arabic literature and culture has evolved into a truly global platform celebrating creativity, scholarship, and cultural dialogue.
A Legacy Rooted in Culture and Vision
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award was launched in 2006 by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism. The award was inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s enduring belief in the power of knowledge, education, and cultural understanding as foundations for progress.
Its mission was clear from the start: to recognize intellectual and literary achievements that enrich cultural, social, and human development. By honoring distinguished authors, thinkers, translators, and publishers, the award sought to promote a culture of reading, preserve the Arabic language, and connect it with the global literary community.
Over the years, the award has built a reputation for integrity, inclusiveness, and excellence. It continues to celebrate voices that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of culture and thought, whether through fiction, translation, scholarship, or publishing innovation.
A Global Celebration of Literature
The 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is particularly significant not only because it marks two decades of achievement but also because it showcases the award’s growing global reach. With submissions from over 74 countries, including 20 from the Arab world and 54 from other regions, the award now represents a wide spectrum of literary traditions, ideas, and disciplines.
This diversity underscores the award’s role as a bridge between cultures. Writers from different continents, backgrounds, and languages come together under one umbrella, united by a shared passion for creativity and intellectual exploration. From seasoned scholars to emerging writers, participants see the award as a gateway to international recognition and a testament to the power of cross-cultural exchange.
The growing participation from non-Arab nations also highlights the increasing global interest in Arabic literature and culture. The award has become an important avenue for introducing Arabic thought and creativity to international audiences while welcoming global perspectives that enrich Arabic literary discourse.
Ten Categories That Celebrate Human Creativity
One of the defining features of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is its comprehensive range of categories. The award recognizes excellence in ten distinct fields, ensuring that creativity in all its forms finds acknowledgment and support.
- Literature – Honoring outstanding works of fiction, poetry, and drama that capture the spirit of humanity and cultural identity.
- Young Author – Recognizing emerging writers and scholars under the age of 40 whose work demonstrates innovation and promise.
- Children’s Literature – Encouraging creativity that educates and inspires young readers, promoting a love for learning and imagination.
- Translation – Celebrating the translators who bridge languages and cultures by bringing works into or from Arabic.
- Arab Culture in Other Languages – Rewarding authors who study or portray Arab civilization in languages other than Arabic.
- Publishing and Technology – Honoring publishing houses, institutions, and digital initiatives that advance the dissemination of knowledge.
- Contribution to the Development of Nations – Recognizing research and works that address issues of national progress, education, and sustainability.
- Literary and Art Criticism – Celebrating critical studies that deepen understanding of literary and artistic expression.
- Editing of Arabic Manuscripts – Recognizing scholars who preserve and revive important Arabic manuscripts.
- Cultural Personality of the Year – The most prestigious category, honoring an individual or organization that has made a major contribution to the promotion of Arabic culture and literature.
Each of these categories reflects the award’s holistic vision of cultural growth and intellectual exchange.
Milestone Moments from Two Decades
Over the past twenty years, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has honored more than a hundred outstanding contributors to literature, culture, and scholarship. Its winners represent a rich tapestry of ideas and voices from celebrated Arab novelists and poets to international translators and academics.
Through its initiatives, the award has played a vital role in promoting Arabic literature on the global stage. Many winning books have been translated into other languages, helping readers around the world access the richness of Arab thought and creativity.
Past laureates have come from across the Arab world and far beyond from Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UAE to Japan, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. Each winner reflects the award’s inclusive spirit and its dedication to celebrating diversity in creative expression.
The Cultural Personality of the Year award, in particular, has recognized global icons who have influenced the cultural landscape, strengthening ties between Arabic heritage and world literature.
The Power of Translation and Cultural Exchange
Translation has always been central to the Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s mission. By supporting the translation of Arabic works into other languages and vice versa, the award has helped build cultural bridges and mutual understanding.
The Translation category not only recognizes translators for their linguistic skill but also highlights the importance of translation in shaping shared human knowledge. In a world increasingly defined by global connectivity, translation serves as a powerful tool to preserve identity while fostering empathy and intellectual curiosity.
Through its cultural exchange initiatives, the award has also encouraged collaboration between international publishers, translators, and institutions. This has led to an increase in the number of Arabic books appearing in international markets and foreign titles being made accessible to Arabic-speaking readers.
Encouraging Young Authors and Future Voices
Another vital contribution of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award lies in nurturing new generations of writers and thinkers. The Young Author category has given many rising talents the recognition and confidence needed to pursue their creative and scholarly ambitions.
By supporting young voices, the award ensures that the Arabic literary scene remains dynamic and forward-looking. Many young winners have gone on to become established authors, academics, and cultural figures, proof that investment in youth can have lasting cultural impact.
The award’s influence also extends to schools and universities, where it inspires interest in reading, writing, and cultural research. Its success stories remind students that literature and knowledge remain powerful tools for self-expression and change.
Supporting the Publishing Industry
Publishing plays a crucial role in shaping how stories and ideas travel across societies. Recognizing this, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award includes a special category for Publishing and Technology. This award acknowledges publishers, organizations, and projects that have made remarkable contributions to promoting reading culture and embracing modern technology.
With digital transformation reshaping how content is produced and consumed, this category celebrates innovation whether through e-books, digital archives, or platforms that make Arabic works accessible to new audiences.
By supporting publishers, the award strengthens the entire ecosystem that sustains literature from writers and editors to booksellers and readers.
Celebrating 20 Years of Growth and Global Impact
The 20th anniversary of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award is both a moment of pride and reflection. Over two decades, the award has evolved from a regional initiative into an international benchmark of excellence. Its influence has reached beyond literature to shape cultural dialogue, academic research, and publishing innovation.
Receiving over 4,000 submissions from 74 countries is not merely a numerical achievement; it represents trust, recognition, and the power of a shared commitment to culture. It reflects how the award has succeeded in connecting diverse voices under one mission to celebrate creativity, preserve language, and build understanding.
For the organizers, this anniversary also marks an opportunity to look forward. The world of literature continues to evolve, with digital platforms, social media, and translation technologies changing how people read and share ideas. The award’s ability to adapt and innovate will determine its continued success in the decades ahead.
Future Vision Expanding Horizons
As it steps into its next decade, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award faces exciting opportunities and challenges. The path ahead is defined by expansion, inclusivity, and innovation.
- Promoting Arabic Literature Internationally
The award aims to continue amplifying Arabic voices across global platforms. Through translation, partnerships, and cultural collaborations, it will further embed Arabic works into the global literary consciousness. - Supporting Digital Innovation
Literature is evolving in the digital age. By embracing technology, the award can help authors and publishers reach new audiences through e-books, audiobooks, and online archives. - Strengthening Cross-Cultural Collaborations
Partnerships with global institutions, universities, and literary festivals can help enhance cultural exchange, creating opportunities for dialogue between East and West. - Empowering Young Writers
Future editions will likely put even greater focus on emerging authors, encouraging them to experiment, take risks, and express contemporary realities through literature. - Preserving Cultural Heritage
In a rapidly changing world, the award’s commitment to preserving Arabic manuscripts and supporting scholarly work ensures that the roots of Arab civilization remain alive for future generations.
The Impact Beyond Borders
The true success of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award lies not just in the number of submissions or winners, but in its influence on global understanding. Through literature, translation, and scholarship, the award continues to dismantle stereotypes, promote empathy, and showcase the shared values that unite humanity.
Authors from different continents have found a common language through this platform. Readers around the world are discovering the richness of Arabic literature, its depth, diversity, and universal themes. At the same time, Arabic readers are engaging with new perspectives from global literature translated into their own language.
This two-way exchange strengthens mutual respect between cultures and demonstrates that literature remains one of the most powerful means of communication.
A Celebration of Creativity and Connection
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award’s 20th anniversary is more than a commemoration; it is a celebration of creativity, connection, and continuity. Over the years, it has become a symbol of how literature transcends boundaries, how language connects rather than divides, and how cultural dialogue fosters peace and understanding.
In honoring authors, translators, and thinkers from all backgrounds, the award carries forward Sheikh Zayed’s vision of a world united through knowledge and respect for culture.
As it moves into its next chapter, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award continues to remind us that stories, whether written, translated, or retold, have the power to transform minds and societies. It stands as a beacon for intellectual freedom, cultural appreciation, and the enduring value of the written word.
Conclusion
The Sheikh Zayed Book Award has reached an extraordinary milestone, twenty years of honoring creativity, preserving heritage, and connecting cultures. With more than 4,000 submissions from 74 countries, its 20th edition reflects the global confidence and admiration it has earned.
In a world often divided by language and geography, this award continues to serve as a bridge bringing together writers, scholars, and readers under the shared belief that culture can inspire unity and progress.
Two decades on, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award remains a shining testament to the vision of its founder and the limitless power of literature to shape the human spirit.
Do follow UAE Stories on Instagram
Read Next – Emirates SkyCargo Bangkok Freighter Expands Asia Trade
