The winners of the 20th anniversary edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award reflect the Award’s international engagement and its role in ensuring that Arab literature and scholarship remain central to the wider global cultural conversation. The 8 laureates hail from countries including Germany, Egypt, the United States, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. Their work reflects the Award’s two-decade commitment to foster intercultural and intellectual dialogue across literary, academic and cultural spheres.
The Literature category winner is Egyptian novelist, judge, and legal scholar Ashraf Elashmawy for Births in the Zoo (Al Dar Al Masriah), a realist novel set in Giza Zoo that offers a satirical take on Egyptian society. In the Translation category, Iraqi-American food historian Nawal Nasrallah was recognised for Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes and Their Salutary Benefits (Brill). A translation of the 13th-century cookbook Anwāʿ al-Ṣaydala fī Alwān al-Aṭʿima, it provides insights into culinary history and was praised for maintaining both fidelity and elegance in its translation. The Publishing & Technology Award was awarded to the Emirates Literature Foundation in recognition of its role in fostering a vibrant literary ecosystem and championing the UAE as a global hub for literature.
The winner of the Arab Culture in Other Languages category was German academic, Arabist, and translator Stefan Weidner, for his anthology Der arabische Diwan: Die schönsten Gedichte aus vorislamischer Zeit (Aufbau). His work represents the most extensive collection of early Arabic poetry in the German-speaking world since the 19th century and, notably, marks the first international translation of work by Arab women poets from the pre-Islamic and early Islamic periods.
On receiving the Sheikh Zayed Book Award Stefan Weidner said: “This is an extraordinary honour and I find it difficult to put my gratitude into words. Many renowned international scholars and authors have received the award. The fact that my name now appears alongside theirs on the list of laureates fills me with both humility and pride.”
Nele Holdack, Publishing Director for Moderne Classics and Die Andere Bibliothek at Aufbau Verlag, publisher of Stefan Weidner’s Der Arabische Diwan shared her thoughts on the win:
What do you think of the current reception for Arabic literature in the international market?
With regard to the German market, interest in authors of Arab heritage has grown noticeably in recent years. They are increasingly recognized as important voices that mediate between cultures, offer valuable insights, and open up new perspectives. At the same time, poetry and classical texts remain comparatively underrepresented. For this reason, we are particularly pleased to publish Stefan Weidner’s anthology, which traces the origins of Arabic poetry.
What impact do you feel that Stefan Weidner’s recognition by the Sheikh Zayed Book Award will have on his work?
Stefan Weidner, whose work is recognized here above all, has for many years been one of the most important mediators of Arabic poetry and prose in Germany. In the award-winning publication, he has contributed both as translator and editor, exemplifying his longstanding and tireless commitment. This recognition not only honors his achievements but also serves as an encouragement to continue pursuing his work with the same dedication in the years to come. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to him.
In what ways does the Sheikh Zayed Book Award help a publisher like Aufbau Verlag bring Arabic culture to a wider German-speaking audience?
For projects that exist somewhat outside the mainstream – aimed at readers with a particular appreciation for distinctive, carefully produced books, and engaging with less widely known topics while conveying specialized knowledge – any additional visibility is of great value. Above all, however, the award recognizes the editor and translator of the anthology, thereby supporting the continuation of Stefan Weidner’s work and commitment in this field.
Since its inception in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has honoured 144 laureates. As it celebrates its 20-year legacy, the Award reaffirms its commitment to recognising outstanding literary and scholarly contributions to Arab culture, enriching the global intellectual landscape, and expanding the reach of Arabic literature to new audiences worldwide.
