The Arab World Institute (IMA) and the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation announced the opening of applications for the 11th Arab Literature Prize and the launch of a new Arab Literature Prize for secondary school students.

The finalist books submitted for the Arab Literature Prize may also be selected for the Arab Literature Prize for Secondary School Students. Both prizes will be awarded in the autumn at a ceremony at the IMA, in the presence of the winners.

Publishers wishing to nominate their author should send three copies of the book(s) by 30 June 2023 to the following address Fondation jean-Luc Lagardère, Arab Literature Prize, 4-10, Avenue André Malraux Immeuble Octant 92689 Levallois-Perret Cedex

In addition to paper versions, books must also be sent in digital format (PDF) to the following address: avalenza@lagardere.fr.

The Arab Literature Prize rewards a literary work written on the theme of the Arab world. It is awarded´ to a writer who is a national of one of the countries of the Arab League and who has written a literary work (novel or collection of short stories), published in Arabic and translated into French or directly into French.

The works proposed for this Prize must have been published between September 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Authors may only enter the Prize through their publisher.

Six to eight books will be shortlisted and the finalists are expected to be announced in early September. The winner will be chosen by a jury of eminent personalities from the world of media, arts and culture, as well as experts on the Arab world.

The Arab Literature Prize for Secondary School Students is endowed with pound 4,000. It is an extension of the Arab Literature Prize. 250 students from general, technological and vocational secondary schools in the Académie de Versailles will be asked to vote for their favourite book from the final selection. In parallel to the Prize, the students will be invited to participate in reading and writing activities and to meet the authors.

Created in 2013 by the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation and the IMA, the Arab Literature Prize is the only French award for Arab literary creation.

This pound 10,000 prize promotes the work of a writer from the Arab League who has written in Arabic and translated into French or written directly in French. The Tunisian Yamen Manaï was the winner of the previous edition, of his novel Bel Abîme (Elyzad).

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse