Photo Credit : WAM
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has organised a major literary forum in collaboration with Al Multaqa Literary Salon, hosted at Louvre Abu Dhabi, to discuss the shortlisted works for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction 2026.
The event brought together 16 reading clubs and cultural salons from across the UAE, reinforcing ongoing efforts to promote Arabic literature and position the Arabic novel as a key driver of cultural dialogue. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of strengthening knowledge-based communities and cementing Abu Dhabi as a global hub for literary creativity.
The forum featured six panel discussions that examined contemporary Arabic storytelling through critical readings of the shortlisted novels. Discussions focused on narrative techniques, artistic structures, intellectual themes, and cultural contexts, offering insights into evolving trends within Arabic fiction.
More than 130 readers, critics, and literary enthusiasts participated, engaging in dialogue around the philosophical, social, and political themes explored in the nominated works. The sessions encouraged interaction between writers and audiences, highlighting the diversity of modern Arabic literary voices.
Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji said the forum reflects the Centre’s commitment to advancing literary discourse and creating platforms that support reading culture and the Arabic language. He noted that the initiative also complements the Centre’s Community Campaign to Support Sustainable Reading, launched in its second edition this year in line with the UAE’s ‘Year of Family’ initiative.
Six novels were shortlisted for the award, representing a wide range of themes including identity, societal transformation, and the relationship between reality and narrative. The winner of the 2026 prize was announced during the forum via a live broadcast, with Algerian author Said Khatibi receiving the award for his novel “I Resist the River’s Current.”
The International Prize for Arabic Fiction remains one of the most prestigious awards for Arabic-language novels, offering a $50,000 prize to the winner and $10,000 to each shortlisted author. The prize is supported by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to nurturing literary talent and elevating Arab writers on the global stage.
Through initiatives like this forum, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre continues to expand access to knowledge, encourage reading habits, and strengthen the role of the Arabic language across cultural, educational, and creative sectors.
