Manama: The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) hosted the conference of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), during which the shortlist for the 2026 edition of the Arabic novel was announced, marking the prize's nineteenth cycle. This event is being hosted by the Kingdom for the first time, establishing Bahrain as a global platform for this cultural occasion and strengthening its position on the international literary events map. The conference saw the attendance of Hala bint Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari, Advisor to His Majesty the King for Cultural and Scientific Affairs; Farah Mattar, Director-General of Culture and Museums at BACA; alongside writers and figures interested in cultural and intellectual affairs.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the prize was represented by Professor Yasir Suleiman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IPAF, and Fleur Montanaro, Administrator of IPAF, with participation from the judging panel members: Dr. Mohammed Al Qadhi, Tunisian researcher and critic; Shakir Nouri, Iraqi writer and translator; Dr. Dheya Al Kaabi, Bahraini academic and critic; Dr. Leila Hee Won Baek, an academic from South Korea; and Maya Abu Al Hayat, Palestinian writer and translator.
Aysha Al Sada, Advisor for Cultural Affairs at BACA, emphasized that hosting the announcement of the shortlist for the IPAF is a significant cultural milestone for Bahrain, given the prize's prestigious standing in the Arab literary scene. She highlighted the prize's role in supporting contemporary Arabic narrative and its influence in translating and globally circulating this narrative. Al Sada noted that the announcement from Manama, a city known for being a meeting point for civilizations and cultural plurality, underscores the importance of literature as an investment in awareness, questioning, and future-building.
The shortlist for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction includes six novels chosen from an original longlist of 16 works: "The Origin of Species" by Ahmad Abdulatif; "The Nap Dream" by Amin Zaoui; "A Cloud Above My Head" by Doaa Ibrahim; "I Resist the River's Course" by Said Khatibi; "The Seer" by Diaa Jubaili; and "The Absence of Mai" by Najwa Barakat. The winning novel will be announced in Abu Dhabi, with the ceremony broadcast virtually on April 9, ahead of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, the prize's official sponsor.
Professor Yasser Suleiman remarked on Bahrain's historical openness to knowledge and education and its contributions to Arabic literature, particularly poetry. He noted Bahrain's emerging novelists competing for the prize are promising signs for the Arabic language community. He also pointed out the judges' dedication to reading and discussing nominated works through virtual and in-person meetings to elevate Arabic literature and engage Arab readers.
Dr. Al Qadhi highlighted that the shortlist features narrative texts exploring human psyche, contemporary Arab reality, and historical narratives, reflecting the high standard of the Arabic novel. He emphasized the novels' engagement with contemporary issues and narrative techniques that resonate with readers aspiring to be part of the creative process.
The judging panel presented the literary and artistic criteria applied to the shortlisted novels, noting the diversity in narrative approaches to human and social issues. They emphasized the importance of productive discussions among judges, which validated the nomination of the shortlisted works. The conference included presentations on the shortlisted works, emphasizing their themes and artistic contexts.
The IPAF seeks to reward excellence in contemporary Arabic literature and increase global readership through the translation and publication of winning and shortlisted novels.