Three Algerians Win Prestigious ‘Katara’ Prize for Arabic Novel
Algerian literature took center stage at the 10th edition of the “Katara” Prize for Arabic Novel, with three Algerian authors earning top honors across various categories.
The ceremony took place in Doha (Qatar), as part of the week-long Katara Arabic Novel Festival, which continues until Sunday, October 20.
“The award, launched in 2014, aims to open new horizons for creativity and innovation, foster talented Arab novelists, and promote the presence of Arabic novel on the regional and international levels,” General Manager of the Foundation Dr. Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti said in a speech to the award-giving ceremony.
“Today, Katara, the City of Arabic Novel, celebrates World Novel Week, proclaimed at the 41st session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2021, taking place every year between October 13 and 20,” as noted by Al-Sulaiti.
The prize spans six categories: published novel, unpublished novel, young adult novel, unpublished historical novel, critical studies, and the Qatari novel.
Kouider Mimouni received the “Katara” Prize in the unpublished novels category for his work “El Camino de la Muerte,” while Belkacem Aissani was recognized for his critical study “El Fikr El-Riwaii” (The Novelistic Thought). In addition, Aboubakr Hammadi won the “Young Adult Novel” award for his masterpiece “I Am Called Libra.”
This year’s competition saw strong participation from Arab novelists and critics, reinforcing the “Katara” Prize’s status as a leading award supporting Arabic creativity and promoting international translation of winning works.
In total, 14 winners were honored across multiple categories. In the published novels category, awards went to Mohammad Tarzi from Lebanon for “Microphone Katim Sawt” (Silencer Microphone), Alaa Hlihal from Palestine for “Sabaa Rasail ila Umm Kulthum” (Seven Letters to Umm Kulthum), and Youssef Hussein from Egypt for “Bayadiq wa Nishen” (Pawns and Medals).
Moroccan author Yassine Kni shared the unpublished novels category award with Kouider Mimouni and Syrian Liza Khadr for her novel “Haiit el Fathiha” (The Wall of Shame).
Qatari writer Kaltham Jaber Al-Kuwari won the prize in the published novels category for “Freij Ben Dirham.” Meanwhile, Dhia Jbali from Iraq was recognized in the unpublished historical novels category for “Thawrat El-Zinj” (The Zanj Rebellion).
In the critical studies category, Hashim Merghani from Sudan, Bouchaib Saouri from Morocco, and Belkacem Aissani from Algeria were acknowledged for their contributions.
Finally, in the unpublished young adult novels category, alongside Aboubakr Hammadi, winners included Iraqi Alaa Al-Jaber for “Land of Oranges and Olives” and Egyptian Shaimaa Ali Jamal El-Din for “Byt Rima” (House of Rima).
