Tunisian novel bags ‘Arabic Booker’ prize
International Prize for Arabic Fiction is one of the most important literary awards in region
Tunisian author Shukri Mabkhout won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF) for his debut novel The Italian in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The IPAF, formed in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, honours contemporary Arabic creative writing in fiction. Since its inception, the prize has become one of the biggest literary awards in the Middle East.
Mabkhout dedicated his award to the women of Tunisia and his family “who have had to fight against injustice and oppression. I dedicate this to my three daughters”.
Mabkhout’s novel centres on left-wing student Abdel Nasser and his time at university during the end of Bourguiba’s rule and the start of Bin Ali’s reign, and the major changes and struggle Tunisian society was undergoing at the time.
The process
Mourid Barghouti, Chair of Judges and a prominent Palestinian poet, described the process behind picking the final six novelists. Among the 180 novels nominated for the prize this year, the judges observed thematic concerns were broadly similar.
Barghouti said: “Our objective was to identify the ability of the novelists to find artistic solutions and fresh technical approaches to their themes. We believe this is reflected in the six novels announced today.”
Each of the six finalists was awarded $10,000 (Dh36,731), with the winner receiving $50,000 (Dh183,657). The winning entry will also be translated into English in order to broaden the book’s reach and audience.
Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, attended the ceremony.