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The National
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
From blogs to book prizes: How a new generation is redefining Arabic literature
A new generation of readers is driving Arabic contemporary fiction – bringing fresh authors and literary styles to the forefront of the regional literary landscape. This was one of the key points raised during Thursday's panel at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – marking the launch of The National's 50 Most Important Arabic Novels of the 21st Century. The curated list was compiled in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, drawing on the expertise of more than 50 literary figures, including authors, publishers, academics, festival organisers, and prize jurors from across the Mena region. At the session, prominent Egyptian author Mohamed Abu Al Fadl Badran, former secretary-general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Culture, was joined by literary critic Haytham Al Haj Ali and Saeed Al Tunaiji, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre. Together, they discussed how a growing youth literary culture, combined with the influence of major prizes, is reshaping what readers expect from Arab publishers. They pointed to novels featured in the list as examples of authors gaining prominence, as readers increasingly seek contemporary reflections of Arab society through blurred genres and innovative literary techniques. 'We have a large youth demographic that has imposed the names of new novelists,' Al Badran said. 'And these novelists are brilliantly creative and strategic in combining poetry with love, logic with narration. That's why they gained a large audience.' Online platforms have also played a vital role in bringing new voices to the fore, said Al Haj Ali. He pointed to novels such as 2005's Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea and 2006's Wanna Be a Bride by Mona Al Shammari, both not on The National's list and which were originally serialised online before becoming regional bestsellers and securing foreign translations. Popular Egyptian author Ahmed Mourad, whose psychological thriller The Blue Elephant features in The National's list, also built a loyal readership through his interactive literary discussions on social media. 'That direct line of communication between writer and reader is something new,' he said. 'It shows how a novel can begin in different ways, from a blog post to a series of tweets, before finding print success. This is reshaping the structure and style of the Arabic novel. Regional literary prizes that focus on new works, which often lead to international translations, are also helping modern Arabic literature gain global recognition. Two other novels from the list – The Bamboo Stalk by Kuwait's Saud Alsanousi, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2013, and No Knives in the Kitchens of This City by late Syrian author Khaled Khalifa, winner of the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 2013 – are examples. 'These prizes, like the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, focus solely on the quality of the work, and as a result, they can bring a previously unknown novelist into global circulation,' Badran said. 'At the same time, for those who are already well known, they can serve as motivation to keep going. I remember when Naguib Mahfouz won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. At the time, only one of his novels – The Harafish – had been translated into German, and everyone rushed to read it. Mahfouz himself said that the award encouraged him to continue writing.' While Arabic novels are being propelled by new platforms, the region's literary criticism has yet to keep pace, according to Badran. 'We have excellent critics, but not schools of critical thought,' he said. 'Each critic operates independently, without a collective vision – and that limits their ability to shape taste or create lasting influence. 'We often borrow Western theories and try to apply them to novels that are rooted in completely different cultural and social contexts. We need home-grown critical tools – tools that speak to our histories, our rhythms, our readers.' Al Tunaiji, from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said the issue points to a broader challenge facing Arabic publishing – the absence of a fully developed professional ecosystem that can elevate the standards of both publishers and translators. He cited the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair's annual masterclasses in editing, translation, and publishing as examples of how the industry is working to close that gap. Such initiatives, he noted, are essential to keeping the Arabic novel vibrant, offering readers a fresh sense of what contemporary literature can achieve – rather than relying on the prestige of the past. 'We need to rethink what we offer and how,' he said. 'The Arab reader gravitates towards specific topics, but it's diversity that attracts them. And this is what all these various initiatives should offer – from book fairs to book compilations like we did with The National. 'It's not just about sales, but about building bridges between East and West, between the older reader and the young. That's what keeps literature alive.' The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is running at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until May 5
Sharjah 24
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah commemorates 4 Egyptian talented authors in Cairo
This forum is part of His Highness's mission to recognize literary figures who have made significant contributions to modern Arab culture. This year's event was extra special as it was the sixth time the forum has been hosted in Egypt, having previously honored 17 Egyptian creatives. The ceremony took place at the Supreme Council of Culture in Cairo and saw the attendance of many notable figures, including Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, the Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, and other distinguished writers, thinkers, and intellectuals. Egyptian poet Obaid Abbas hosted the event, highlighting Sharjah's role as a leader in supporting culture and the arts, and how it has enhanced the Arab cultural landscape through its ongoing initiatives. In his speech, Abdullah Al Owais talked about the strong partnership between Sharjah and Egypt in the arts and culture, which has led to many exciting events, including theater, poetry, stories, and literary awards. He expressed pride in returning to Egypt to honor a new group of writers, showing appreciation for their valuable contributions to literature. Al Owais emphasized that this collaboration reflects the deep ties between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, strengthened by the wise leadership of both nations. He also conveyed greetings from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the honorees, expressing gratitude to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture for their ongoing support of Arab cultural initiatives. Pride and appreciation At the start of his speech, Professor Al-Azzizi greeted everyone, saying, "Welcome to the Supreme Council of Culture! We're here for the 21st session of the Sharjah Cultural Honors Forum in the Arab world, and this is the 6th time it's being held in Egypt. This wonderful event is a special initiative from His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and is done in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture." He went on to say, "In this special edition, we celebrate a group of writers and authors who have greatly enriched our cultural life. They represent the creative and intellectual spirit of Egypt, using their writing to advocate for the values of truth, goodness, and beauty. This celebration acknowledges the important contributions of creative minds to culture and creativity throughout the Arab world." Al-Azzizi added that this honor is particularly meaningful because it takes place in the writers' own countries, surrounded by their families. He noted, "Sharjah is here to recognize the creative individuals in their own environments, showing support and pride in their important cultural and humanitarian roles. This is the sixth time we have held this event in Egypt, having honored seventeen Egyptian writers over the past four years." The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture in Egypt shared his heartfelt thanks to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, stating, 'I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Emirate of Sharjah and its Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. This wonderful initiative and the impactful activities of Sharjah are not surprising, given the many cultural events organized in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Culture. Events like the Sharjah Narrative Forum and the Sharjah Award for Arab Creativity Forum, which has taken place here multiple times, highlight our successful collaboration. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to continuing our efforts to support creativity and creators, enriching life, and promoting beauty, love, and friendship between our two nations.' Knowledge and creativity beacon The honorees praised the efforts of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, highlighting how active he has been in promoting Arab culture. They pointed out that Sharjah is making great strides in using culture as a key part of building strong individuals and communities. The cultural initiatives from Sharjah have become a shining example of knowledge and creativity. Shawqi Badr applauded the cultural impact of Sharjah's leader, noting that the forum is a unique opportunity to honor talented writers and authors from across the Arab world. This support is aimed at enhancing the current landscape of Arab culture. Dr. Salah Al-Saruri shared his joy at receiving this honor, viewing it as an important step forward for Arab writers. He also acknowledged the significant cultural role that Sharjah has played since the 1970s. Writer Itidal Othman expressed her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful initiative, saying, "I take great pride in this recognition, just as I do in my own writing journey." Writer Ezzat El-Qamhawi reflected on his experiences and said, "A writer isn't just born; they start as readers. But the circumstances that lead to their development as a writer can vary greatly. Those who are naturally drawn to books often have a deep passion for reading that can't always be explained by having books at home or by coming from a family of readers." Acknowledgments At the end of the ceremony, Abdullah Al Owais, Mohammed Al Qaseer, and Al Azzazi presented certificates of appreciation to four honored individuals. These certificates were signed by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and recognized the honorees for their contributions to literature and culture in the Arab world. Documentary During the Sharjah Cultural Honors Forum, attendees enjoyed watching a documentary that showcased a filming scene from their visits to Egypt. This forum has a rich history, having started in Egypt and traveled across the Arab world for over twenty editions. The documentary also featured photographs of the honorees from this year's event, bringing back memories of the forum's journey and the individuals celebrated. Publications The ceremony to honor individuals included a special exhibition showcasing various publications from the Sharjah Department of Culture. This featured magazines like the Sharjah Cultural Magazine, Al Rafid, Al Qawafi, and Al Masrah, along with a selection of books that covered topics such as poetry, novels, theater, criticism, and other creative works. Guests at the event also had the opportunity to buy these publications.
