Muscat: The Bait AlGhasham DarArab International Translation Prize, a leading initiative celebrating Arabic literature and its global reach through translation, has officially opened submissions for its third edition. This year’s prize introduces significant updates, including a new category dedicated to Omani publications and the establishment of two separate judging panels to evaluate submissions.
Since its inception, the prize has served as a vital platform for promoting Arabic literature and bridging cultural divides through translation. Funded by the Bait AlGhasham Foundation and managed by DarArab, the award has gained international recognition, attracting submissions from renowned authors and translators worldwide.
New Category for Omani Literature
In a move to spotlight Omani literary talent, the prize has added a third category: the Omani Publications Category. This new addition joins the existing Translators and Authors categories, which focus on Arabic literature more broadly. The Omani Publications Category aims to elevate Omani authors on the global stage by supporting the translation and promotion of their works.
Submissions for all three categories will be accepted from March 24, 2025, until July 31, 2025, via online forms available on DarArab’s website.
Expanded Judging Panels
This year’s edition will also feature two distinct judging panels, a departure from previous years. One panel will evaluate submissions in the Translators Category, while the other will assess entries in the Authors and Omani Publications categories. This change aims to ensure a more focused and thorough evaluation process.
Award Categories and Prizes
The prize offers substantial awards across its three categories:
Authors Category: Open to original, unpublished Arabic literary works. The winner will receive £22,000, covering the award, translation, publication, and promotion of their work.
Translators Category: For unpublished English translations of Arabic literary works published in or after 1970. The winner will be awarded £20,000, including funds for translation, publication, and promotion.
Omani Publications Category: For Arabic literary works by Omani authors published between 2020 and 2025. The winner will receive £18,000, supporting translation, publication, and promotion.
A Legacy of Excellence
The prize has already celebrated remarkable achievements in its first two editions. In 2023, Iraqi poet Yass Al-Saeedi won the Authors Category for his poetry collection Premonitions News Flash, while American translator Marilyn Booth took home the Translators Category award for her translation of Syrian author Jan Dost’s novel Safe Corridor.
In 2024, Sudanese novelist Mustafa Khalid Mustafa won the Authors Category for his novel Ha Ha, Kakh Kakh... I Miraculously Survived, and American translator Luke Leafgren claimed the Translators Category award for his translation of Omani novelist Bushra Khalfan’s The Garden.
Board of Trustees and Judging Panels
The prize is overseen by a distinguished Board of Trustees, including Marilyn Booth (USA), Mohammed Al-Yahyai (Oman), and Sawad Hussein (UK). The trustees play a crucial role in shaping the prize’s regulations and endorsing the final judging results.
How to Apply
Submissions are now open and will close on July 31, 2025. For more information on eligibility criteria, submission guidelines, and to apply, visit:
English: www.dararab.co.uk/prize
Arabic: www.dararab.co.uk/prize-ar
For inquiries, contact the Prize Administration at: prize@dararab.co.uk.
The Bait AlGhasham DarArab International Translation Prize continues to champion the power of translation in fostering cross-cultural understanding, ensuring that Arabic literature remains a vibrant and accessible part of the global literary landscape.
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