Abu dhabi: The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), presented by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has revealed the shortlists for its 20th edition (2025-2026). The selections span categories such as Literature, Young Author, Translation, Literary and Art Criticism, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias and Lexicons, and Publishing and Technology. These works exemplify creative and scholarly achievement worldwide.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Scientific Committee approved the shortlists after a review of reports from specialised judging panels. The shortlisting process involved multiple meetings chaired by Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary-General of the SZBA Scientific, alongside committee members Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Juergen Boos, Dr Nadia El Cheikh, Mustafa Al Slaiman, Dr Khaled Al Masri, Dr Reem Bassiouney, Dr Moneera Al Ghadeer, and Dr Mehmet Hakki Su§in.
The shortlists were endorsed following academic standards and the SZBA's institutional framework. This rigorous process solidifies the Award's position as a leading global cultural platform that promotes cultural dialogue and intellectual openness.
In the Literature category, the shortlist includes "Births in the Zoo" by Ashraf Elashmawy, "Fourrure" by Nizar Abdulsattar, and "Secret of the Al Za'farana" by Badriah Albeshr. The Young Author category features "Plots and Characters" by Mustapha Rajouane, "The Companion" by Omar Zakaria, and "My Undying Butterfly" by Alaa Alqatrawi.
For Translation, notable works include "Contrariness in Classical Arabic Literature" by Abu Mansur al-Tha?alibi, "Trait© de l'Argumentation" by Cham Perelman and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca, "Smorgasbords of Andalusi and Maghribi Dishes" by Nawal Nasrallah, and "A Demon Spirit" by al-Hasan ibn Hani? Abu Nuwas.
The Literary and Art Criticism category includes "Foundations of the Arabic Linguistic Theory" by Ramzi Mounir Baalbaki, "Perceiving the World" by Zuhair Tawfiq, and "News and Eyewitness Accounts" by Dr Ahmed Gasmi. The Arab Culture in Other Languages category includes "The Emergence of Arabic Poetry" by Nathaniel A. Miller, "Der arabische Diwan" by Stefan Weidner, "Le concept arabe de muru?a" by Salah Natij, and "Prendi, aggiungi, mescola e scrivi" by Sara Fani.
The Manuscripts, Encyclopaedias and Lexicons category features "Al-Mu?nis fi Akhbar Ifriqiyya wa-Tunis" edited by Prof. Dr Ahmed Elbahi, "Encyclopaedia of World Religions" by Prof. Dr Mohamed Elkhosht, "Martyrium Arethae Arabice" edited by Paolo La Spisa, and "The Diwan of Abu al-?ayyib al-Mutanabbi and His Anecdotes" edited by Ebraheem Mohammad Hamad Albatshan.
In the Publishing and Technology category, the shortlisted are Emirates Literature Foundation, Iqraaly - Arabic Audiobooks, and Dar Al Adab. This year, the Award withheld selection under the Children's Literature and Contribution to the Development of Nations categories.
The Award received over 4,000 submissions from 74 nations, including 21 Arab countries and 53 non-Arab nations, with first-time participation from Chile, Iceland, and Luxembourg. This reflects the Award's expanding international reach and its role as a preeminent platform supporting creativity and cross-cultural dialogue.