In a move to celebrate Arab literary excellence and foster intercultural dialogue, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has opened submissions for the 8th edition of the Sharjah Translation Award (Turjuman Award). The award seeks to boost the global presence of Arabic literature by encouraging international publishers to translate notable works by Arab authors into other languages, promoting cultural and intellectual exchange worldwide.
With a total prize pool of AED 1.4 million, the Turjuman Award recognises the best foreign-language translation of an original Arabic literary work. It underscores SBA and the Sharjah International Book Fair’s (SIBF) commitment to positioning translation as a vital tool for advancing human dialogue, intercultural understanding, and sharing Arab creativity and knowledge globally.
Submissions are open until September 15, with winners set to be announced during the opening ceremony of the 44th edition of SIBF.
Ahmed Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that the Turjuman Award embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and reflects the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, in promoting the global stature of Arabic literature and advancing Sharjah’s cultural agenda on the international stage.
He said: “Translation is an essential force in fostering shared understanding between civilisations. It serves as a powerful tool for promoting mutual respect, cultural exchange, and intellectual dialogue. Under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour, we have established the Turjuman Award as a strategic platform that cultivates meaningful partnerships between publishers and translators. It expands the reach of Arabic literature, enabling it to connect with readers in their native languages and share the richness of Arab creativity worldwide. Every translated work stands as a bridge that links Arab culture to global communities and affirms knowledge as a universal foundation for humanity.”
The award is open to publishers who have completed the first official foreign-language translation of a distinguished Arabic literary work in its original edition. Submissions must include four hard copies of the translated book, one copy of the original Arabic edition, and a 500-word summary in Arabic or the translation language, detailing the author’s background, the work’s content, and its cultural and literary significance. Entrants must also provide documentation verifying translation and publication rights, along with evidence of copyright clearance.
The Turjuman Award recognises every major contributor to the translation process. The translator receives AED 100,000, while the remaining prize is divided between the original Arabic publisher (30%) and the international publisher responsible for the translation (70%).
(Inputs from WAM)
