Radwa Ashour Arabic Literature Award Winners Announced by Qatar Foundation and University of Granada

Qatar Foundation (QF) and the University of Granada have announced the recipients of the inaugural Radwa Ashour Award for Arabic Literature, an initiative launched to honor exceptional literary talent writing in the Arabic language.

The award, which recognizes excellence in two age categories, has been granted to Egyptian writer Nora Nagi in the ‘40 and Under’ category, and Lebanese author Mohammad Tarazi in the ‘Over 40’ category.

For Nagi, receiving an award bearing the name of Radwa Ashour, renowned Egyptian writer and her personal literary role model, is both a privilege and a profound responsibility. “I look forward to this inspiring literary journey, hoping it will be a fruitful opportunity for creativity and dialogue,” she said.

Tarazi echoed the emotional weight of the recognition, stating: “Winning the Radwa Ashour Award embodies a commitment to human dignity and upholds the values to which she devoted her pen. It reminds me of the sincerity of words and reaffirms my belief in literature as a form of resistance.” He added, “The news of winning this award filled me with gratitude and awe. Radwa Ashour’s name evokes a legacy of cultural struggle, and gives us all the moral courage to write against violence, carnage, and oblivion.”

As part of their award, both writers will embark on a residency in Granada, Spain, where they will have the opportunity to work on their literary projects while engaging with local cultural and academic institutions.

The Radwa Ashour Award for Arabic Literature was officially launched in November 2024 in Granada, in tribute to the life and legacy of Radwa Ashour, an influential author and professor known for her contributions to Arab literature and cultural thought.

Exclusively open to Arabic-language writers, the award reinforces Qatar Foundation’s commitment to preserving and promoting the Arabic language and Arab-Islamic cultural identity.

Held annually, the award provides a writing residency in Granada to two selected writers, based on the strength of their published work and the potential of their proposed projects. The selection is made by a distinguished panel of literary figures, including authors, critics, and scholars closely connected to Radwa Ashour’s intellectual and creative legacy.

More than a literary accolade, the Radwa Ashour Award serves as a platform for fostering cross-cultural dialogue, encouraging literary exploration, and supporting the creative freedom of Arabic writers both within and beyond the Arab world.