Moroccan Authors Shine in 10th Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction Shortlist

Rabat – Several Moroccan novels and studies have been shortlisted among the top nine contenders in various categories for the 10th Katara Prize for Arabic fiction, a renowned literary award established in Qatar.

According to a statement from the Katara Cultural Village Foundation issued yesterday, the shortlist includes 36 works across many categories, including “Published Novels,” “Unpublished Novels,” “Unpublished Young Adult (YA) Novels,” and “Unpublished Literary Criticism.”

For the 2024 edition, the Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction received a total of 1,697 submissions. This includes 886 unpublished novels, 437 novels published in 2023, 177 unpublished YA novels, 91 unpublished studies, 7 published Qatari novels, and 99 unpublished historical novels.

Moroccan authors recognized in several categories

In the “Unpublished Novels” category, Morocco is represented by three authors: Abdelghani Haddadi with his novel “Miraat la taakis dilaha” (A Mirror That Does Not Reflect Its Shadow), Chaimae Rawam with “Aala marri al ljirah” (At the Crossroads of Wounds), and Yassine Kenni with “Al aabat” (The Absurd).

Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania are also featured in this list.

The shortlist for “Unpublished YA Novels” presents authors from seven countries, including Morocco, which is represented by author Houria Al Dhal’s “Alloujoue ila lkawawkab ramadi” (Refuge on the Gray Planet).

In the “Unpublished Literary Criticism” category, seven countries are represented, with Morocco leading the way with three works.

These include Bouchaib Saouri’s “Takhyil Lahwiya fi Riwaya Al Arabiya” (Imagining Identity in Arabic Fiction), Hassan Touil’s “Attawil Al Balaghi li Riwaya: Ichkalat wa Tatbiqat” (Rhetorical Analysis of the Novel: Issues and Applications), and Zouhair Soukah’s “Arriwaya Al Arabiya wa Addakira Al Jamiya” (Arabic Fiction and Collective Memory).

Meanwhile, in the “Historical Novels” category, Morocco is represented by two works: Salah Eddine Aqarqar’s “Hajib Assoltan” (The Sultan’s Page) and Mohamed Mbarki’s “Listibqae fi Diyafat Al Achiqqae” (Survival in the Brothers’ Hospitality).

A rich literary accolade

Egypt tops the list with four entries, followed by Iraq with two and Jordan with one.

In the “Published Novels” category, Egypt leads with four novels, while Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon each contribute one novel.

The Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction, founded in 2014 by the Katara Cultural Village in Qatar, is one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards.

With a total prize pool of $650,000 and a main prize of $200,000, it stands out as one of the richest literary accolades globally. Sponsored in part by UNESCO, the prize also ensures that winning novels are translated into five languages, including French and English.

Initially, the prize recognized winners in two main categories—published and unpublished novels—each with five winners. In recent years, the award has expanded to include categories for literary criticism and unpublished young adult novels.

The cultural diversity of Moroccan literature

Moroccan literature spans a diverse range of genres, including poetry, prose, theater, and non-fiction.

A key highlight of Morocco’s literary scene is the city of Tangier, which, during the colonial period, became a vibrant center for expatriate writers, particularly from the United States.

Prominent Moroccan authors like Mohamed Choukri and Mohamed Mrabet were pillar figures in this literary movement.

American writers Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs, along with other Beat Generation icons such as Tennessee Williams, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac, frequently visited Tangier and interacted with Moroccan literary figures.

This cultural exchange led to the translation and editing of many Moroccan works by Bowles, who transcribed writings from Darija to English by Choukri, Mrabet, Abdeslam Boulaich, Driss Ben Hamed Charhadi, and Ahmed Yacoubi.