AED 16 Million In Sharjah Book Awards Supports Global Publishing With Over 17,900 Applications

In the last five years, the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) has transformed the concept of book fairs. It has awarded over AED16 million in prizes and grants, establishing itself as a prominent entity on the global cultural stage. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, SIBF has become a dynamic platform that honours authors, translators, and publishers, setting new standards for publishing excellence.

The upcoming 43rd edition of SIBF is scheduled from November 6 to 17. It will host over 2,520 publishers and exhibitors from 112 countries and feature 400 renowned authors from the Arab world and beyond. With more than 1,357 activities for all ages and interests and over 250 speakers from 63 countries, this year's fair promises a vibrant celebration of literature and culture.

The Turjuman Award has allocated AED 7 million over five years to promote Arabic literature globally. This award encourages publishers to translate outstanding works by Arab authors into other languages. With applications from 289 participants across 16 countries and languages, it plays a crucial role in global literary translation. Each year, AED 1.4 million is distributed, with AED 100,000 for the translator.

Since its inception in 2019, the SIBF Translation Grant Fund has awarded AED5.9 million to support translation projects both in Arabic and internationally. The fund has received over 14,105 applications and approved 1,115 grants ranging from USD 1,500 to USD 4,000. This initiative helps publishers cover translation costs fully or partially.

The SIBF Awards offer a total prize fund of AED 3,125,000 across various prestigious categories such as the Sharjah Award for Emirati Books, Best Arabic Novel, Best International Book, and Publisher Recognition Award. Over five years, these awards have drawn participation from 3,540 individuals across 45 countries. The fair's opening ceremony is now a significant event on the global cultural calendar.

The Sharjah Award for Emirati Books allocates AED 300,000 annually across four categories to nurture local literary talent and enrich UAE’s literary heritage. Categories include Best Emirati First Novel valued at AED 50,000 for emerging authors alongside Best Emirati Novel and others.

Encouraging Diverse Voices

The Best Arabic Novel award offers AED150,000 shared between author and publisher. It recognises novels that showcase originality in theme and style while providing critical insights into Arab realities. This award supports diverse voices within contemporary Arabic literature.

The Best International Book award totals AED100,000 divided between fiction and non-fiction categories. It acknowledges English-language works exploring life aspects like society or history across genres.

Promoting Publishing Innovation

The Publisher Recognition Award promotes excellence in publishing with an annual prize of AED75,000 split among three categories: Best Local Publisher; Best Arab Publisher; Best International Publisher—each receiving AED25k—to honour innovative publishers committed to advancing industry standards.

SIBF continues to reinforce Sharjah’s status as a unique hub for literary innovation through its awards programme which attracts thousands globally while fostering cultural exchange via initiatives like Turjuman Award or Translation Grant Fund supporting translations worldwide.

With inputs from WAM