Award celebrates diverse voices in Arab literature
Qatar Foundation and the University of Granada have announced the winners of the second cycle of the Radwa Ashour Award – a prestigious accolade recognizing exceptional contributions to Arabic literature.
The recipients of this year’s award showcase the creativity and depth of contemporary writing in two categories: ‘40 and Under’ and ‘Over 40’. The winners of the second cycle of the Award are: Aya Mansour from Iraq, honored in the ‘40 and Under’ category for her work ‘Women of the Long River’ which is a project built on the oral memory of women concerning the war on Iraq and its occupation, while in the ‘Over 40’ category, the award was given to Gerges Shokry from Egypt for his work ‘About a Poet from Troy’ noted for the rewriting of the epic of Troy through a series of poetic texts that adopt a different perspective, embodied in “an unknown, historically marginalized Trojan poet,” so as to offer “the wisdom of the vanquished" against the Greek victor’s narrative, steeped in hubris.
These winners reflect the award's commitment to supporting and celebrating diverse voices within the Arabic literary landscape. Reflecting on his win, Gerges Shokry said: “Winning an award that bears the name of the writer Radwa Ashour is a source of joy, and that is what encouraged me to apply for the prize named after a writer and professor I hold in high esteem, especially since I was fortunate enough to meet her and get to know her as a writer and a person, a thinker who played an active role in Egyptian cultural life.
“Undoubtedly the idea is exciting – it is not just an award given to a writer, but a prize tied to the production of a creative work, which sets it apart from other awards. Winning the prize for a project a writer proposes also pushes them to complete it with greater enthusiasm – when the committee selected the project ‘A Poet from Troy’ from among many submitted projects, I became determined to finish it. Likewise, the residency in Granada, with all the city’s history in the Arab imagination, will surely be a source of inspiration. Discussing the project in a seminar at the end of the residency will also undoubtedly be exciting and inspiring for the writer.”
Last year’s inaugural winners, Nora Nagi and Mohammad Tarazi, set the foundation for what the Radwa Ashour Award seeks to achieve. Their accomplishments emphasized the value of diverse perspectives and narratives that enrich Arab literature – not only representing individual talent, but also the award's broader goal of fostering cultural dialogue and promoting literary excellence in line with Egyptian novelist, writer, literary critic, and Professor Radwa Ashour's legacy. Speaking about her experience, writer Aya Mansour said: “This is a deeply meaningful moment for me. Over the years, my heart has grown with every testimony I have had the privilege of hearing from women. It expanded even further in the knowledge that these voices, stories, and memories are now woven into the legacy of Radwa Ashour – woman, writer, mother, wife, and, above all, a deeply humane soul whose enduring literary warmth continues to touch and inspire us.
“My project is dedicated to the stories and testimonies of Iraqi women who lived through decades of war, sanctions, violence, and profound social transformations. This award offers a genuine opportunity for these stories to move beyond the boundaries of private memory and enter the public sphere. The women who endured these experiences have carried their impact for many years, while so many of their testimonies have remained undocumented and overlooked. “Receiving this award has given me renewed confidence to continue this work, and to approach these stories with even greater care, sensitivity, and responsibility. I am also convinced that this award will give the book the opportunity to reach new readers and open a broader conversation about what women lived through and the lasting impact those years have had on their lives,” she said.
Margarita Sánchez Romero, Vice-Rector for Outreach, Heritage and Institutional Relations at the University of Granada, said: “The Radwa Ashour Award is vital in connecting contemporary Arabic literature with a global audience from the heart of Andalusia. It celebrates the work of writers who embody the spirit of heritage and innovation that Radwa Ashour herself championed, reviving the region's historic role as a bridge between cultures.” Fatima Mohamed Moussa, Project Expert at Qatar Foundation Vice Chairperson’s Office, said: “The Radwa Ashour Award exemplifies our commitment to nurturing exceptional literary talent. Recognizing these writers is vital to enhancing the appreciation of Arabic literature on a global scale.”
The partnership between Qatar Foundation and the University of Granada extends beyond the Radwa Ashour Award. In January 2026, they announced the launch of the Tamim Bin Hamad Chair for Arabic Language and Andalusian Culture. This initiative is designed to support research, teaching, and public programming focused on Arabic language studies and the rich heritage of Andalusia. The establishment of the Chair strengthens academic exchange between Qatar and Granada, enhancing collaboration on manuscripts, historical studies, and language teaching methodologies that connect Andalusian cultural history with contemporary scholarship.
The Radwa Ashour Award is intended to do more than honor individual writers. It seeks to sustain a living literary conversation across borders and provide recipients with the necessary time and environment in Granada to advance their work. Composed of writers, critics, and scholars with extensive engagement in Arab letters, the award's jury is dedicated to recognizing works that embody these principles.
